A prospective 6-month analysis of the naturalistic use of aripiprazole - factors predicting favourable outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of aripiprazole in clinical practice.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up of patients consecutively prescribed aripiprazole in an acute mental health unit. Retrospective analysis of outcome from casenotes.


RESULTS
Data were available on 228 patients. Fifty-one per cent discontinued aripiprazole over 6-month follow-up. Continuation with treatment was more likely in out-patients [relative risk (RR) 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13-2.00], those never before considered for clozapine treatment (RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06-2.44) and older patients [RR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09 (per 5-year increase)]. The main reason for early discontinuation was the occurrence of minor adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Aripiprazole is effective in practice. Outcome is likely to be improved by careful patient selection and by attending to adverse effects experienced early in treatment.
Taylor
D
D
Department of Pharmacy, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK. david.taylor@slam.nhs.uk
Atkinson
J
J
Fischetti
C
C
Sparshatt
A
A
Jones
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole