Efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine in the treatment of schizotypal personality disorder.
BACKGROUND
Few treatment studies of schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) have investigated the new, atypical antipsychotic drugs. This study examined the efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, in a series of patients with DSM-IV diagnosed schizotypal personality disorder.


METHODS
This was a 26-week, open-label study with flexible dose design in 11 subjects with a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder based on Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and Personality Disorder Examination (PDE Journal of Psychiatric Disorders 1 (1987) 1). Subjects were treated with a low dose (average 9.32 mg/day) of olanzapine. Psychopathology was assessed at baseline and at the end of the study and analyzed with last observation carried forward analysis.


RESULTS
Patients showed significant improvements in psychosis and depression ratings, as well as in overall functioning. Olanzapine was well tolerated, though significant weight gain was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides preliminary data regarding olanzapine efficacy and tolerability in schizotypal personality disorder subjects. These data need to be confirmed in larger controlled clinical trials.
Keshavan
Matcheri
M
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Health System-Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Room 984, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. keshavanms@msx.upmc.edu
Shad
Mujeeb
M
Soloff
Paul
P
Schooler
Nina
N
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine