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[Long-term relapse prevention with risperidone in 215 schizophrenic patients]
C Udina Abelló1, M Roca Bennasar, I Octavio Del Valle
1Hospital General de Cataluña. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Actas Espanolas De Psiquiatria
|July 27, 2001
Summary
This 18-month study found risperidone effective in preventing schizophrenia relapses for over 80% of patients. The medication showed good safety, with most patients tolerating it well and experiencing symptom improvement.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- An 18-month open-label, postmarketing surveillance study evaluated risperidone in 215 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria).
- The study focused on assessing the safety and effectiveness of risperidone in preventing relapse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of risperidone in preventing relapse in adult patients with schizophrenia.
- To assess the impact of risperidone on psychotic symptoms, global functioning, and neurological side effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Global Functional Assessment Scale, and Clinical Global Impression for efficacy assessment.
- Employed the UKU subscale for neurological side effects to evaluate safety.
- Included 215 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV criteria.
Main Results:
- 82.1% of patients remained relapse-free during the 18-month study period.
- Mean daily dosage of risperidone was 5.69 ± 2.41 mg.
- Significant reductions in neurological side effects were observed (mean total UKU subscale score).
Conclusions:
- Risperidone improved psychotic symptoms and global activity in patients with schizophrenia.
- The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with 91.7% of patients reporting no adverse events.
- Only 1.2% of patients discontinued treatment due to intolerance, indicating good tolerability.