title: Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines of Negative Symptoms in Schizo-phrenia in Central and Eastern Europe: A Literature Review.
abstract: To gather and review data describing the epidemiology of schizophrenia and clinical guidelines for schizophrenia therapy in seven Central and Eastern European countries, with a focus on negative symptoms. Methods : A literature search was conducted which included publications from 1995 to 2012 that were indexed in key databases. Results : Reports of mean annual incidence of schizophrenia varied greatly, from 0.04 to 0.58 per 1,000 population. Lifetime prevalence varied from 0.4% to 1.4%. One study reported that at least one negative symptom was present in 57.6% of patients with schizophrenia and in 50-90% of individuals experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Primary negative symptoms were observed in 10-30% of patients. Mortality in patients with schizophrenia was greater than in the general population, with a standardized mortality ratio of 2.58-4.30. Reasons for higher risk of mortality in the schizophrenia population included increased suicide risk, effect of schizophrenia on lifestyle and environment, and presence of comorbidities. Clinical guidelines overall supported the use of second-generation antipsychotics in managing negative symptoms of schizophrenia, although improved therapeutic approaches are needed. Conclusion : Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses and poses a considerable burden on patients and healthcare resources alike. Negative symptoms are present in many patients and there is an unmet need to improve treatment offerings for negative symptoms beyond the use of second-generation antipsychotics and overall patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Roche Polska Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szkultecka-Dębek
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walczak
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Augustyńska
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miernik
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stelmachowski
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pieniążek
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Obrzut
authors.affiliation: Arcana Institute, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pogroszewska
authors.affiliation: Roche Ltd, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Gabrijela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paulić
authors.affiliation: Roche Ltd, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Marić
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damir
authors.affiliation: Roche Ltd, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Siniša
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antolić
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Rok
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tavčar
authors.affiliation: Roche Eesti OÜ, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Andra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Indrikson
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Clinic, North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kaire
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aadamsoo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jankovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Hungary.
authors.forename: Attila J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pulay
authors.affiliation: Roche (Magyarország) Kft, Budaörs, Hungary.
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rimay
authors.affiliation: Roche (Magyarország) Kft, Budaörs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Márton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Roche Slovensko, s.r.o., Bratislava, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sulkova
authors.affiliation: Roche d.o.o. Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veržun
keywords: Epidemiology; guidelines; mortality; negative symptoms; pharmacotherapy; schizophrenia