Shift from first generation antipsychotics to olanzapine may improve health-related quality of life of stable but residually symptomatic schizophrenic outpatients: a prospective, randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to elucidate, whether shift from first generation antipsychotics (FGA) to olanzapine can affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of residually symptomatic schizophrenic outpatients.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to either olanzapine or to continuation on their FGA. The 15D-measured HRQoL at baseline and end-point (after 12 weeks) was compared.


RESULTS
Patients (n = 21) randomized to olanzapine achieved better HRQoL than those (n = 21) who continued on their FGA. This difference on the 15D (0.048 on a 0-1 scale; p = .037) was clinically important and comparable to that resulting from common surgical interventions, for example, hip or knee replacement.


CONCLUSIONS
HRQoL of stable outpatients with residual symptoms or adverse effects may improve substantially after shift from FGAs to olanzapine.
Joffe
Grigori
G
Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Välskärinkatu 12, Helsinki, Finland. grigori.joffe@hus.fi
Sintonen
Harri
H
Appelberg
Björn
B
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine