The use of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia in North Staffordshire.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the long-term effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics in a naturalistic setting for patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of atypical antipsychotic prescribing in one Health District between 1994 and 2001. Time to discontinuation of the first atypical antipsychotic prescribed was calculated using survival analysis.


RESULTS
253 patients were identified. Clozapine had a significantly lower discontinuation rate compared with olanzapine and risperidone (p = 0.018). Patients taking risperidone were 1.3 times more likely to discontinue than those taking olanzapine (p = 0.23). Older age (p = 0.0001), male sex (p = 0.016) and exposure to antidepressants (p = 0.014) significantly predicted compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Clozapine is an effective long-term schizophrenia treatment. The trend to superior effectiveness of olanzapine over risperidone in the long-term has not been reported before and warrants further investigation.
Hodgson
Richard
R
Lyme Brook Mental Health Centre, Bradwell Hospital site, Talke Road, Stoke on Trent ST5 7TL, UK. Richarde.Hodgson@nsch-tr.wmids.nhs.uk
Belgamwar
R
R
Al-tawarah
Yasin
Y
MacKenzie
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine