The effectiveness of ziprasidone in treating impaired quality of life in schizophrenia: a 12-month, open-label, flexible-dose, naturalistic observational study of patients undergoing usual care.
OBJECTIVE
Health related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important outcome measure in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This long-term observational study examined ziprasidone-induced improvement in satisfaction with HRQL in schizophrenia patients treated under real-world conditions.


METHODS
Seventy schizophrenia patients with persistent symptoms or troublesome side effects were assigned to a 12-month, open-label, flexible-dose (40-160 mg/d), large-scale, naturalistic trial. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6, and 12 months, and included the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), severity of symptoms, distress, and side effects.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients fully completed the study protocol. Patients reported poorer general HRQL compared with healthy subjects. At the end of the study, significant improvement in general activity, and satisfaction with life was observed. The effect sizes for these changes were moderate (0.55, and 0.72, respectively). After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons improvement in satisfaction with general activity remained significant. No significant changes were noted in other Q-LES-Q dimensions. Improvement in general activity was associated with a reduction in the severity of symptoms and emotional distress, but was unrelated to the ziprasidone daily dose, side effect scores, and concomitantly prescribed antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, or antiparkinson drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that ziprasidone treatment resulted in the improvement of the satisfaction with general activity that tended to increase over time, from month 6 onwards. This effect was associated with reduction in the severity of clinical symptoms, and emotional distress.
Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Mobile Post Hefer 38814, Israel. ritsner@shaar-menashe.org.il
Michael S
MS
Ritsner
Vladimir
V
Yorkov
Yael
Y
Ratner
Peter
P
Soifer
Anatoly
A
Gibel
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; C092292:ziprasidone