Trial of aripiprazole in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia. It is effective and well tolerated in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The aim of the present study was to investigate therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were recruited. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) were completed at the beginning of the study and again after 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of aripiprazole treatment. Side-effects were analyzed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side-Effect Rating Scale. Weight was checked at each testing session, and prolactin levels were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of aripiprazole treatment.


RESULTS
Significant benefits were observed after the first week of treatment. After 1 week of aripiprazole treatment, subscale and total scores on the PANSS had decreased significantly. This significant decrease was maintained throughout the study period. The mean score of CGI severity was also significantly different after 2 weeks of aripiprazole administration when compared to baseline score, and the significance was maintained thereafter. Weight did not significantly change after aripiprazole administration. Although mean prolactin level was decreased at 8 weeks, the difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Aripiprazole is an effective and well-tolerated antipsychotic agent in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Further investigations with larger samples are needed.
Lee
Hwa-Young
HY
Clinical Research Center for Depression, Institute of Human Behavior and Gene, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Ham
Byung-Joo
BJ
Kang
Rhee-Hun
RH
Paik
Jong-Woo
JW
Hahn
Sang-Woo
SW
Lee
Moon-Soo
MS
Lee
Min-Soo
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D011388:Prolactin