Risperidon vs. Other antipsychotics in schizophrenia: the assessment of patients' attitudes.
OBJECTIVE
The multicentric prospective study was conducted to examine patients' attitudes toward risperidone in comparison to any previous antipsychotic treatment.


METHODS
Ninety three subjects with a schizophrenia or schizoaffective psychotic disorder (ICD-10), previously treated with any antipsychotics, were included in the study and treated with risperidone during 8 weeks. At the baseline, symptoms were assessed by PANSS and history of previous medication was recorded. At the end of the study, patients' attitudes were examined by eight-items questionnaire and PANSS was scored.


RESULTS
Ninety five percent of patients previously treated with FGA (80%), SGA(5%) or combination (10%) completed the study, with improvement expressed in 62% change of the total PANSS score. Eight items questionnaire yielded risperidone to be superior to other regarding all questions. For continuation of the treatment, 83% of patients had chosen risperidone.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' attitudes and satisfaction with treatment should be monitored carefully because it appears to be related strongly to their readiness to take medication as prescribed, and thereby to outcome.
Jasović-Gasić
Miroslava
M
Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, profmjg@eunet.yu.
Marić
Nadja
N