title: Placebo-controlled study of quetiapine monotherapy in ambulatory bipolar spectrum disorder with moderate-to-severe hypomania or mild mania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no randomized, placebo-controlled data for quetiapine in outpatients with bipolar spectrum disorder (ambulatory BSD) and moderate-to-severe hypomanic or mild manic symptoms (hypomania/mild mania).
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of quetiapine in ambulatory BSD with hypomanic/mild manic symptoms, defined operationally as a score of >or=3 but <5 on the mania subscale of the Clinical Global Impressions Scale Modified for Bipolar Illness (CGI-BP) at baseline and one prior study visit, at least 3 days but no more than 2 weeks apart. The primary outcome measure was the rate of change in the Young Mania Rating Scale score (YMRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 8-week study period, patients receiving quetiapine (average daily dose=232mg) had a marginally greater rate of reduction in mean total YMRS score than patients receiving placebo (p=0.06). Additionally, CGI-BP mania (p=0.01) and the CGI-BP overall (p<0.001) scores were significantly reduced and the CGI-depression score (p=0.08) was marginally reduced in the quetiapine group. Six (32%) quetiapine patients and 8 (40%) placebo patients did not complete the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small sample size and high attrition (36%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quetiapine was marginally more effective than placebo in reducing hypomanic/mild manic symptoms in ambulatory BSD as assessed by the YMRS. It was more effective than placebo in reducing manic symptoms and global bipolar symptoms as assessed by the CGI-BP. The drug's discontinuation rate was similar to placebo's. Controlled trials of quetiapine and other compounds with mood stabilizing properties in larger groups of ambulatory BSD patients with hypomanic/mild manic symptoms appear warranted.
authors: Lindner Center of HOPE, Mason, Ohio 45040, USA. susan.mcelroy@lindnercenter.org
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: McElroy
authors: Brian E
authors: BE
authors: Martens
authors: Erin L
authors: EL
authors: Winstanley
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Creech
authors: Shishuka
authors: S
authors: Malhotra
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Keck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate