Examination of treatment pattern differences by race

Examine differences in treatment patterns among Blacks and non-Blacks in the U.S. Schizophrenia Care and Assessment Program. Baseline data from medical record abstraction, participant self-report and clinical assessment used to examine differences by race (race-gender pairings) (n = 2,239). Descriptive and multivariate (logistic) analysis employed. More Blacks were diagnosed with paranoid subtype. Blacks exhibited a more negative PANSS composite score, lower quality of life scores, and higher AIMS scores than non-Blacks. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of outpatient visits or inpatient admissions between Blacks and non-Blacks. Blacks had lower medication adherence and received less second-generation agents and more antiparkinson/anticholinergic agents. Proportion of Black males receiving depot was greater than other race-gender pairings. Regression results indicate Blacks more likely to be prescribed only first-generations after controlling for depot (OR = 1.64; CI = 1.27-2.12; p = 0.0002). Schizophrenia is, on average, accompanied by different diagnoses and symptoms in Blacks. Symptom profiles indicate that second-generation antipsychotics may be underprescribed to Black patients.