Ziprasidone in Black patients with schizophrenia: analysis of four short-term, double-blind studies.
OBJECTIVE
To better understand the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics among racial groups, we reviewed data from four short-term (4-6 weeks), fixed-dose, placebo-controlled trials of ziprasidone for black, white, and overall populations of patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Efficacy of ziprasidone in the black, white, and overall schizophrenic populations was compared to placebo using standard efficacy measures (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] total, PANSS negative, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS], Clinical Global Impression-Severity [CGI-S], CGI-Improvement [CGI-I]).


RESULTS
Black patients receiving ziprasidone demonstrated statistically significant improvements from baseline in PANSS total, PANSS negative, and BPRS, and improvements in CGI-S and CGI-I (n=99-149) compared with placebo (n=41-66); improvements were comparable to those observed in the overall population (n=451-639) and the white population (n=310-430). Interaction effect (treatment by race) was not significant for any efficacy variables. Ziprasidone was well-tolerated among black patients (n=175). Adjusted mean (least squares mean) overall weight gain in black patients receiving ziprasidone (n=124) was 1.8 kg. There were no increases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, or random glucose in the black population.


CONCLUSIONS
Ziprasidone has similar efficacy and safety in black patients with schizophrenia compared with patients in the white and overall populations.
Lawson
William B
WB
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Howard University College of Medicine and Hospital, Washington, DC 20060, USA. wblawson@howard.edu
Herman
Barry K
BK
Loebel
Antony
A
Lazariciu
Irina
I
Malik
Mansoor
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044383:Black People; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; C092292:ziprasidone; D006220:Haloperidol