Symptomatic remission in previously untreated patients with schizophrenia: 2-year results from the SOHO study

Symptomatic remission is an achievable goal of treatment in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of symptomatic remission and baseline factors associated with symptomatic remission in previously untreated patients with schizophrenia during 2 years of antipsychotic treatment.

The Schizophrenia Health Outcomes (SOHO) study is a 3-year, prospective, observational study of the treatment of schizophrenia in the outpatient setting in ten European countries. Symptomatic remission was defined as a score of < or =3 on the clinical global impression (CGI) overall severity score, CGI positive symptoms score, CGI negative symptoms score and CGI cognitive symptoms score, maintained for at least 6 months and without hospitalisation.

Of the patients enrolled at baseline, 1,009 patients were never-treated and prescribed only one antipsychotic; 701 patients (69%) were included in the follow-up analysis at 24 months. Of this sample, 70% achieved symptomatic remission during 24 months of treatment. Baseline factors associated with higher symptomatic remission were: lower negative CGI, lower cognitive CGI, lower overall CGI, having hostile behaviour, lower body mass index, taking olanzapine instead of typical antipsychotics or atypical antipsychotics (except risperidone) and being employed.

A high proportion of patients with schizophrenia who start antipsychotic treatment achieve remission after 2 years of treatment. Type of medication, symptom severity and previous functioning are important predictors of outcome.