Efficacy of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia: results after 24 months in Italian patients in the Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (SOHO) study Efficacia della terapia antipsicotica per la schizofrenia: risultati a 24 mesi dello studio SOHO

Abstract

Summary Objectives Aim of the present study was to examine the outcomes associated with antipsychotic treatment over a 24-month timeframe for Italian patients taking part in the Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (SOHO) study. Methods SOHO is a prospective Results A large number of patients (2,533) continued treatment for 24 months with the antipsychotic started at baseline. The CGI-overall score improved from baseline after continuous treatment for 6, 12, 18 and 24 months in all treatment groups (Fig. 2). Compared with olanzapine, there was significantly less improvement in the CGI-overall score for the other antipsychotic groups, except clozapine. Likewise, quality of life improved in all treatment groups in all epochs, and there was a significantly greater improvement in EQ-VAS with olanzapine compared with risperidone and oral typicals (Fig. 3) . Social functioning also improved in all treatment groups, but more patients had social activities in the olanzapine group than in the clozapine group (after 6, 12 and 18 months continuous treatment) or typical antipsychotic groups (oral typical: after 6 and 12 months; depot typical: after 6 months continuous treatment) (Tab. V). Olanzapine, clozapine and quetiapine were associated with less EPS after treatment in all four epochs (Tab. VI). Olanzapine and clozapine were associated with higher average weight gain Conclusion