Quetiapine's effect on the SCL-90-R domains in patients with borderline personality disorder

This study aimed to examine the impact of quetiapine on the symptom and distress domains measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Ninety-five participants meeting DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for BPD were randomly assigned to low-dosage (quetiapine, 150 mg/d; n = 33), moderate-dosage (quetiapine, 300 mg/d; n = 33), or placebo (n = 29). SCL-90-R was administered weekly over the course of an 8-week double-blind treatment phase. We used a mixed-effects model to analyze subscale scores of the SCL-90-R.

Results showed that both dosages of quetiapine were effective in reducing levels of overall psychological distress, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and hostility compared with those who received placebo.

SCL-90-R can be a useful tool that would allow clinicians to collect information in addition to the DSM symptoms to better understand the diagnostic heterogeneity found in patients diagnosed with BPD.