EFFECT OF VORTIOXETINE ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that includes both positive and negative aspects of well-being and life, as well as social, psychological and physical health. It is related to health and refers to the optimal level of mental, physical and social functioning.The aim of the research was to examine the effects of vortioxetine on the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Overall 120 stable patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups (treatment and control). All subjects were on antipsychotic therapy (olanzapine or risperidone or aripiprazole). Vortioxetine was given to subjects in the treatment group at a dose of 10 mg. The study lasted twelve weeks. The quality of life was measured by the The World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment measuring scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Patients treated with additional therapy with vortioxetine showed a statistically significantly higher assessment of all aspects of quality of life compared to control group. Mild effects of vortioxetine on general life satisfaction, health satisfaction, social and environmental domains, and moderate effects of vortioxetine on physical and mental quality of life domains were demonstrated. Patients taking olanzapine and vortioxetine showed the largest increase in quality of life in the treatment group. Patients treated with risperidone or aripiprazole with vortioxetine showed equal improvements in the quality of life. Given that quality of life is an important target for the treatment of schizophrenia, our results encourage future studies on the comparison between vortioxetine and other antidepressants on this patient-centered outcome. Given that quality of life is an important target for the treatment of schizophrenia, our results encourage future studies on the comparison between vortioxetine and other antidepressants on this patient-centered outcome.