利培酮维持治疗精神分裂症3年疗效观察

目的探讨利培酮治疗精神分裂症的长期疗效、安全性及其对认知功能的影响。方法92 例利培酮治疗的精神分裂症患者完成为期3年的观察,采用了阴性和阳性症状量表(PANSS)、简明精神病评定量表(BPRS)、副反应量表(TESS)、简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)评定药物治疗的疗效与安全性及其对认知功能的影响。结果利培酮维持治疗期间,BPRS持续下降,疗效好,副作用少,不影响患者认知功能。结论利培酮治疗精神分裂症远期疗效稳定,安全性高,有利于患者重返社会。     

利培酮合并赛来昔布治疗精神分裂症首次发病患者的随机双盲对照研究

目的 评估利培酮合并赛来昔布对精神分裂症首次发病(以下简称首发)患者的临床疗效及安全性.方法 符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版诊断标准的精神分裂症首发住院患者90例,随机分到利培酮+赛来昔布组(研究组,46例)或利培酮+空白剂组(对照组,44例),观察时间均为12周.以阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)、临床疗效总评量表(CGI)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评定临床疗效,以治疗中需处理的不良反应量表(TESS)、Simpson锥体外系副反应量表(SEPS)、异常不自主运动评定量表(MMS)评定药物不良反应和锥体外系副反应.结果 两组患者治疗前后比较,PANSS总分及各分量表分均明显下降(P均<0.05);研究组PANSS总分、分量表分、HAMD评分较对照组的降低更为明显,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05).研究组总有效率(66%)明显高于对照组(26%);X2=16.1,P=0.001.治疗第12周末,两组TESS、SEPS、MMS评分的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05);研究组患者体质量的增加(4±5)kg,明显高于对照组(1±4)kg,t=2.6,P<0.05.结论 赛来昔布可以提高利培酮对首发精神分裂症的疗效.     

Risperidone in the treatment of elderly patients with psychotic disorders.

The authors evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of risperidone in 103 elderly patients (mean age, 71 years) with schizophrenia (75%) or schizoaffective disorder (25%). Using the Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale (ESRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, they conducted a prospective, open-label, 12-week trial in 14 psychiatric centers in the United States. Patients' symptoms were assessed at baseline and over a 12-week period. At endpoint, ESRS scores were significantly reduced, as were PANSS total and subscale scores. There were no clinically significant changes in electrocardiograms, laboratory test results, or vital signs. Risperidone was well tolerated and efficacious in elderly patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.     

Efficacy and safety of risperidone in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder: initial results from a large, multicenter surveillance study. Group for the Study of Risperidone in Affective Disorders (GSRAD)

BACKGROUND: An adequate therapy for psychotic disorders needs to be effective against mood as well as psychotic symptoms. Analyses of data from clinical trials of risperidone in schizophrenia and small open-label studies in mania suggest that risperidone may have this broad efficacy profile. We present data on a 6-week trial of risperidone for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder that was part of a larger, 6-month surveillance study of patients with affective disorders. METHOD: One hundred two patients suffering from schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV or ICD-10) entered the trial. Inclusion criteria consisted of a current DSM-IV diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type; DSM-IV manic or mixed psychotic episode; and a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score > 7 for a mixed episode (> 20 for a manic episode). Assessments included the YMRS, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the 4-item Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, and the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale subscale for neurologic side effects. For patients entering the study, open-label risperidone therapy was added to their existing regimens of mood-stabilizing treatments. Other antipsychotic drugs were not allowed. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients completed the 6-week trial. At week 6, the mean +/- SD dose of risperidone was 4.7+/-2.5 mg/day. The mean scores on the assessment scales at baseline and week 6 (unless otherwise stated) were as follows: YMRS, 22.7 and 4.7, an improvement of 18.0 points (p < .0001); PANSS (at baseline and week 4), 74.1 and 54.2, an improvement of 19.9 points (p < .0001); HAM-D, 14.0 and 7.4, an improvement of 6.6 points (p < .0001); CGI (at baseline and week 4), 2.6 and 1.7, an improvement of 0.9 points (p < .0001). At week 4, most patients had shown improvement in symptom severity, and 9.3% were completely symptom-free. There were no statistically significant differences between baseline and week 4 in the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms as measured by the UKU. Risperidone was well tolerated; side effects were few and generally mild. CONCLUSION: The results to date with risperidone indicate that it may have both antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing properties. Despite the limitations of the open-label design, the results indicate that risperidone is a safe and effective therapy in combination with mood-stabilizers for the treatment of patients with manic, hypomanic, and depressive symptoms of mixed episodes in schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.     

利培酮治疗精神分裂症临床观察

目的：研究利培酮治疗精神分裂症的疗效与副反应。方法：7所医院共计收集精神分裂症患者904例其中以利培酮治疗者405例,其余为以氯氮平、氟哌啶醇、氯丙嗪或舒必利治疗的对照病例,使用阳性症状与阴性症状量表（PANSS）,简明精神病评定量表（BPRS）,阴性症状评定量表（SANS）,阳性症状评定量表（SAPS）,临床疗效总评量表（CGI）和副反应量表（TESS）等量表进行观察。结果：利培酮治疗精神分裂症有肯定疗效,有的与对照组相仿,有的超过对照组。副反应一般较轻。对睡眠影响较少,小剂量（4mg/d左右）疗效并不降低,而副反应更少。结论：利培酮可作为治疗精神分裂症的一线药物,可用于首发、难治病例、预防复发和青少年病例等,对维护和提高患者的生活质量较好。     

An open-label study of olanzapine in children and adolescents with schizophrenia

The purpose of this open-label study was to evaluate the use of olanzapine in the treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia. Sixteen children who were 8-17 years of age and met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were admitted into a 10-week, open-label, optimizing dose study of olanzapine. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Severity/Improvement scales were used to assess improvement during the study. Of the 16 subjects who completed the study, 12 demonstrated significant improvement on end of treatment BPRS, CGI, and PANSS scores compared with baseline. Male subjects showed greater improvement and also gained more weight. Weight gain occurred in all but 2 subjects. Weight gain was significant, with patients averaging a gain of about 6.2 kg during the 6-week course of the study. Two of the subjects experienced extrapyramidal symptoms. The average dose of olanzapine for all subjects was 0.17 mg/kg.     

Risperidone in the treatment of mixed state bipolar patients: Results from a 24-week, multicenter, open-label study in Korea

Aims:  The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of risperidone combined with mood stabilizers for treating bipolar mixed state.
Methods:  The present study was a 24-week, open-label, combination, prospective investigation of the efficacy of risperidone in combination with mood stabilizers. Risperidone (1–6 mg/day) was given in combination with mood stabilizers in flexible doses according to clinical response and tolerability for 114 patients in mixed or manic episode.
Results:  Forty-four patients met our criteria for mixed state bipolar disorder and 70 met the criteria for pure mania. Mean age for the subjects was 39.0 ± 11.0 years and 55.3% were female. The combination of risperidone with mood stabilizers significantly improved the scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and Clinical Global Impression Scale for use in bipolar illness Severity (CGI-BP) at 24 weeks ( P  < 0.0001). Analysis of the YMRS, BPRS, GAS, and CGI-BP scores showed significant improvement in both the manic and mixed groups. The rate of response in YMRS scores was 84.2% ( n  = 96) and the rate of YMRS remission was 77.2% ( n  = 88) at week 24 in the total population. Seventy-four patients met both YMRS ≤ 12 and HAMD ≤ 7 at week 24 (64.9%). Risperidone was well tolerated, and adverse events were mostly mild.
Conclusion:  The combination of risperidone with mood stabilizers was an effective and safe treatment for manic symptoms and coexisting depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.     

奥氮平与利培酮治疗青少年首发精神分裂症对照研究

目的比较奥氮平与利培酮治疗青少年首发精神分裂症的疗效和安全性。方法对60例青少年期首发精神分裂症患者随机分为两组,分别给予奥氮平与利培酮治疗8周。于治疗前及治疗后1、2、6、8周末进行阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)及副反应量表(TESS)评定。结果奥氮平与利培酮总的疗效无显著性差异,均能快速起效,PANSS总分比较治疗第1周与第2周末奥氮平组显著低于利培酮组,利培酮组锥体外系反应显著多于奥氮平组。结论奥氮平与利培酮均是治疗首发青少年精神分裂症安全有效的非典型抗精神病药物,可根据患者的不同情况分别选择。     

利培酮治疗老年期首发精神分裂症临床观察

目的 研究利培酮治疗老年期首发精神分裂症的临床疗效和副反应。方法 将符合CCMD-2-R诊断标准的62例老年期首发精神分裂症住院病人(年龄≥60岁)随机分为两组，分别给予利培酮和奋乃静治疗，疗程8周，以简明精神病评定量表(BPRS)评定疗效，用不良反应症状量表(TESS)评定副反应。结果 利培酮与奋乃静疗效差异无显著性，利培酮的副反应主要为失眠、恶心呕吐等轻微反应，奋乃静锥体外系副反应较重。结论 利培酮、奋乃静两种药物对老年期精神分裂症的疗效相当，利培酮副反应轻微，安全性好。     

Adverse effects of risperidone and haloperidol treatment in schizophrenia

PURPOSE: Side effects of pharmacological treatment in schizophrenia continue to be a major issue in spite of the development of new antipsychotics. The aim of this study is to explore the adverse effects of conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs and their associated factors. METHODS: Over 3 months, 41 patients with schizophrenia were randomized to treatment with risperidone 1-12 mg (n=21) or haloperidol 2-20 mg (n=20) daily. Efficacy was assessed by improvement of psychotic symptoms, measured on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The safety and tolerability were assessed with the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, the UKU Side-Effect Rating Scale and clinical laboratory assessments. RESULTS: Each treatment reduced psychotic symptoms. PANSS total scores, positive scores, and general psychopathology scores declined as trial went on without significant differences between the two groups. While PANSS negative scores improved better in the risperidone group than in the haloperidol group. The tolerability of antipsychotics was statistical significantly better in the risperidone than in the haloperidol-treated patients. The most frequent adverse effects for both groups were tremor and rigidity. Antipsychotics, their doses, and hyperprolactinemia predict short-term extrapyramidal side effects. Serum prolactin levels could predict parkinsonism and dyskinesia severity. However, dyskinesia was best predicted by the doses of neuroleptics. The predictive factor of dystonia was the antipsychotic drug itself. After adjusting drug doses and concomitant medications, side effects could be markedly improved. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that risperidone was superior to haloperidol in improving negative symptoms and better tolerated during the 12 weeks' treatment of schizophrenia. Serum prolactin levels could predict the severity of parkinsonism and dyskinesia.     

Risperidone safety and efficacy in the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders: results from a 6-month, multicenter, open study

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of risperidone in bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. METHOD: 541 patients entered this open, multicenter, 6-month study. Patients were entered provided that they fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, during a manic, hypomanic, mixed, or depressive episode. Risperidone was added to any previous mood-stabilizing medication that the patients were taking. Efficacy was assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI). Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) were assessed using the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale. RESULTS: 430 patients completed the study. Addition of risperidone produced highly significant improvements (p < .0001) on the YMRS and HAM-D at both 6 weeks and 6 months and on the CGI and the scales of the PANSS at both 4 weeks and 6 months. There was a significant reduction in UKU total and subscale scores at 6 months. The mean dose of risperidone was 3.9 mg/day. There was no single case of new-emergent tardive dyskinesia, and there was a very low incidence of exacerbation of mania within the first 6 weeks (2%). Adverse events were few and mostly mild. the most frequent being EPS and weight gain. CONCLUSION: This large study provides additional evidence that risperidone is effective and well tolerated when combined with mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Previous concerns about exacerbation of manic symptoms were not confirmed.     

The efficacy of the D2 and 5-HT2 antagonist risperidone (R 64,766) in the treatment of chronic psychosis. An open dose-finding study

After a wash-out period of 1 week, 20 patients suffering from schizophrenia were treated for 4 weeks in an open dose-finding study with a new serotonin-dopamine antagonist risperidone. All patients completed the trial. The mean daily dose of risperidone was 4.6 mg (range 2-10 mg) at completion. Risperiodone had a rapid onset of action: a highly significant decrease of the total BPRS score (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) was already noticed at the end of the second week. This decrease was found in all BPRS factors after 4 weeks. In spite of the withdrawal of antiparkinson medication at selection, a clear decrease of EPS (extrapyramidal symptoms), assessed on the Simpson and Angus Scale, was observed. The Global Therapeutic Impression agreed to the BPRS scores, showing a highly significant improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. Risperidone was very well tolerated, only mild side effects were reported. Vital signs, electrocardiographic parameters and laboratory values remained normal during the trial. This study indicates that risperidone can be an effective and well-tolerated alternative in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia, combining an antipsychotic activity, a beneficial effect on anergia and anxiety depression and a low EPS-inducing profile.     

利培酮与舒必利治疗精神分裂症对照研究

目的：比较利培酮与舒必利对精神分裂症的临床疗效及对各症状群的作用特点,观察其副作用方法：将符合入级标准的精神分裂症患者随机分为利培酮与舒必利两组,用阳必瑟阴性症状量表（ＰＡＮＳＳ）、简明精神病评定量表（ＢＰＲＳ）、临床疗效总评（ＣＧＩ）、阴性症状量表（ＳＡＮＳ）和副反应量表（ＴＥＳＳ）等评定其疗效和副反应。结果：利培酮组疗效优于舒必利组,对阴性症状的效果更显著。ＴＥＳＳ总分两组间差异无显著性。结论     

精神分裂症首次发病患者冲动和自杀行为与血浆瘦素及总胆固醇的相关性研究

目的 探讨精神分裂症患者冲动、自杀行为与血浆瘦素及胆固醇之间的相关性.方法 106例精神分裂症首次发病患者用简明精神病评定量表(BPRS)、阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD24)及Beck绝望量表(BHS)进行评定;按有无冲动、自杀行为分为自杀组(24例)、冲动组(31例)、非自杀非冲动组(以下简称患者对照组,51例),32名体检职工为正常对照组,所有入组对象(患者在服药前)测定体质量指数(BMI)、血浆瘦素和总胆固醇.结果 (1)正常对照组[(4.8±0.9)mmol/L]和患者对照组[(4.3±1.1)mmol/L]总胆固醇均高于自杀组[(3.7±1.0)mmol/L]及冲动组[(3.6±1.0)mmoL/L;P<0.05～0.01],而冲动组与自杀组之间、正常对照组与患者对照组之间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);正常对照组血浆瘦素[(13.4±6.7)μg/L]高于患者对照组[(8.9±3.8)μg/L]、自杀组[(6.7±2.6)μg/L]及冲动组[(5.6±4.2)μg/L;P<0.05～0.01],患者对照组高于自杀组及冲动组(P<0.05),而自杀组与冲动组的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).(2)4组的血浆瘦素及总胆固醇均与BMI呈正相关(r=0.49～0.64;P<0.01);自杀组、冲动组的血浆瘦素和总胆固醇与PANSS阳性分、PANSS攻击分、BPRS分、HAMD分、BHS分均呈显著负相关(r=-0.35～-0.72;P<0.05～0.01);患者对照组的血浆瘦素、总胆固醇与PANSS攻击分、BPRS分、HAMD分、BHS分均呈显著负相关r=-0.29～-0.48;P<0.05～0.01).结论 精神分裂症患者的冲动、自杀行为及疾病严重程度与血浆瘦素及总胆固醇有一定的相关性.     

利培酮联合重复经颅磁刺激治疗首发精神分裂症疗效的随机对照研究

目的 探讨利培酮联合重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)治疗首发精神分裂症的临床疗效,并观察其安全性及不良反应.方法 将60例首发精神分裂症患者随机分成研究组和对照组,研究组在利培酮基础上联合rTMS真刺激,对照组在利培酮基础上联合rTMS假刺激干预.分别于治疗前、治疗1周、2周及4周应用阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)评定临床疗效,采用不良反应量表(TESS)、生命体征、体格检查、临床实验室检查、心电图、脑电图评价安全性.结果 研究组和对照组PANSS总分及各因子分在治疗1周、2周及4周均显著下降(P＜0.01);研究组的有效率在治疗2周时即高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.01),而两组有效率在4周时差异无统计学意义(P=0.127);研究组阳性症状因子评分在治疗2周时即显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),在4周末时差异有统计学显著性(P＜0.01).研究组和对照组在治疗中均无严重不良反应发生,两组不良反应差异无统计学意义.结论 重复经颅磁刺激具有很好的安全性,联合利培酮使用可以提高治疗首发精神分裂症的疗效,尤其有助于改善阳性症状.     

Risperidone in children with autism: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Some open-label studies suggest that risperidone can be useful in the treatment of certain target symptoms in children with autism. We aimed to study whether the use of risperidone in comparison with placebo improved functioning in children with autism with regard to behavior (aggressiveness, hyperactivity, irritability), social and emotional responsiveness, and communication skills. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 40 consecutive children with autism, whose ages ranged from 2 to 9 years, who were receiving either risperidone or placebo given orally at a dose of 1 mg/day for 6 months. Autism symptoms were monitored periodically. The outcome variables were total scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) after 6 months. Of the 40 children enrolled, 39 completed the trial over a period of 18 months; 19 received risperidone, and 20 received placebo. In the risperidone group, 12 of 19 children showed improvement in the total Childhood Autism Rating Scale score and 17 of 19 children in the Children's Global Assessment Scale score compared with 0 of 20 children for the Childhood Autism Rating Scale score and 2 of 20 children for the Children's Global Assessment Scale score in the placebo group (P < .001 and P = .035, respectively). Risperidone also improved social responsiveness and nonverbal communication and reduced the symptoms of hyperactivity and aggression. Risperidone was associated with increased appetite and a mild weight gain, mild sedation in 20%, and transient dyskinesias in three children. Risperidone improved global functioning and social responsiveness while reducing hyperactivity and aggression in children with autism and was well tolerated.     

An open study of fluvoxamine augmentation of neuroleptics in schizophrenia with obsessive and compulsive symptoms

Patients whose schizophrenia is characterized by marked obsessive-compulsive features can be difficult to treat successfully and often require a combination treatment. The aim of this open-label study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an addition of fluvoxamine--a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)--to standard neuroleptics in treatment of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia. Sixteen patients with schizophrenia were treated with conventional neuroleptics and fluvoxamine in doses of 100-200 mg/d for 8 weeks. The patients were assessed with use of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) at baseline and endpoint. Results included considerable reduction in BPRS (39.4%) and Y-BOCS (32.9%) scores. None of the patients showed an acute exacerbation during the whole study period. Side effects were clinically insignificant. This open-label trial supports previous suggestions that coadministration of SSRIs and neuroleptics in patients with schizophrenia with OC symptoms is associated with robust improvements of these symptoms. Therefore, the use of SSRIs in patients with schizophrenia with OC symptomatology may be warranted and safe.     

Tolerability and effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics in male geriatric inpatients

The atypical antipsychotics are gradually becoming the mainstay of treatment for psychosis in the elderly. The present study examines the effectiveness and tolerability of risperidone and olanzapine treatment in 34 matched male patients admitted to a VA Medical Center geriatric inpatient unit. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), the Rating Scale for Side-Effects, the Extra-Pyramidal Rating Scale, and the Mini-Mental State Examination were administered at admission and discharge. T-tests at admission and discharge across groups indicate that the patients as a whole were performing significantly better following their stay on the CMAI (t(30)=4.31, p=0.000), the GAF (t(31)=9.73, p=0.000), the PANSS total score (t(29)=3.82, p=0.001), and the positive symptom portion of the PANSS (t(28)=4.29, p=0.000). No significant differences were detected between the two groups with regard to length of hospitalization, or reduction in scores on the PANSS, or CMAI, however the daily cost of risperidone was 1/3 as much as olanzapine (p=0.00). The two treatments were comparable in the elderly men evaluated in this study.     

Efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone versus risperidone in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, double-blind, multicenter trial

BACKGROUND: More head-to-head comparisons of antipsychotics are needed to discern the relative efficacy and safety profiles of these compounds. Thus, we compared ziprasidone and risperidone in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. METHOD: Patients with DSM-III-R acute exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to double-blind ziprasidone 40 to 80 mg b.i.d. (N = 149) or risperidone 3 to 5 mg b.i.d (N = 147) for 8 weeks. Primary efficacy measures included Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) score; secondary measures included scores on the PANSS negative sub-scale, CGI-Improvement scale (CGI-I), and PANSS-derived Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRSd) total and core items. Safety assessments included movement disorder evaluations, laboratory tests, electrocardiography, vital signs, and body weight. Efficacy analyses employed a prospectively defined Evaluable Patients cohort. Treatment equivalence was conferred if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the ziprasidone/risperidone ratio of least-squares mean change from baseline was > 0.60. Data were gathered from August 1995 to January 1997. RESULTS: Equivalence was demonstrated in PANSS total scores, CGI-S scores, PANSS negative subscale scores, BPRSd total and core item scores, and PANSS total and CGI-I responder rates. Both agents were well tolerated. Risperidone exhibited a significantly higher Movement Disorder Burden (MDB) score (p < .05) and higher incidences of prolactin elevation and clinically relevant weight gain. However, compared with current recommendations, study dosing may have been high for some risperidone-treated patients (mean dose = 7.4 mg/day) and low for some ziprasidone-treated patients (mean dose = 114.2 mg/day). CONCLUSION: Both agents equally improved psychotic symptoms, and both were generally well tolerated, with ziprasidone demonstrating a lower MDB score and less effect on prolactin and weight than risperidone.     

A clinical study of emergent anxiety in neuroleptic-na?ve, first-episode schizophrenia patients following treatment with risperidone]

Risperidone (RIS) alone was administered to patients with neuroleptic-na?ve, first-episode schizophrenia who visited the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychiatry, Jikei University School of Medicine Hospital between April 1998 and December 2001, and the effectiveness of the drug in alleviating anxiety symptoms was prospectively examined. The study population comprised 42 patients (24 males and 18 females). Their mean age at first visit was 26.0 +/- 6.5 years, DUP (Duration of Untreated Psychosis) was 41.1 +/- 60.0 weeks, and the mean total BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) score at first visit was 60.5 +/- 8.5 points. The rating "effective" (a total BPRS score improvement at week 8 of 50% or more) was given to 32 out of the 42 patients (76.2%). Among these 32 patients, a 25% improvement in the PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) positive scale was achieved at 1. 53 +/- 0.72 weeks and a 50% improvement at 2.93 +/- 2.10 weeks, suggesting early onset of the effects of RIS. The present study focused on the anxiety complained of by some of the patients in whom treatment was rated as effective (increase of 2 points in anxiety BPRS score), dividing these patients into an anxiety group and a non-anxiety group. The anxiety group comprised 17 patients (53.1%). The anxiety observed during the course of treatment with RIS tended to develop early after the disappearance of positive symptoms. A comparison of demographic factors and GAF between the two groups revealed a significant difference in mean age at first visit, DUP and GAF score, the anxiety group tending to be younger, to have shorter DUP and to have social dysfunction compared to the non-anxiety group. Although it cannot be concluded that these anxiety symptoms are characteristic of risperidone, the effect of chemotherapy with other atypical antipsychotic drugs remains as an interesting theme for future investigation.