[An open study on the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine treatment of patients with schizophrenia].
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in treatment of schizophrenia.


METHODS
Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (according to ICD-10, DSM-IV) were included in the 12-weeks open study. Severity of schizophrenia symptoms was evaluated using the PANSS Scale. Adverse events have been assessed according to The Adverse Events Inventory, The Simpson Angus Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale, the Akathisia Barnes Scale and the Involuntary Movement Scale. Quetiapine has been used in increasing doses up to 600 mg/day.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight persons were included. The total scores in PANSS before treatment were 84.7 on average. Twenty-eight patients (74%) completed the study. Reduction in severity of schizophrenia according to the PANSS Scale was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Reduction of scores in the range 20-29% was obtained in 18 patients (48.6%), 30-39% in 10 patients (26.3%) and above 40% in 2 patients (5.4%). Adverse symptoms occurred in 71% patients. The most common were: drowsiness (18%), weakness (10.5%), restlessness (10.5%), agitation (10.5%) and increase in severity of delusions and hallucinations (10.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
In the study, Quetiapine caused the reduction in the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Serious adverse events requiring drop-out of the study were not observed. The severity of extrapyramidal symptoms with statistical significance decreased during the quetiapine treatment (p < 0.05).
Beszłej
Jan Aleksander
JA
Katedra i Klinika Psychiatrii AM we Wrocławiu.
Grzesiak
Magdalena
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate