Predictors of symptomatic remission in first-episode psychosis outpatients treated with quetiapine: A naturalistic study

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this naturalistic study was to assess course and predictors of symptomatic remission in outpatients with first-episode psychosis during quetiapine monotherapy. Methods. In 131 outpatients presenting with first-episode psychosis, socio-demographic and clinical variables including PANSS-8 and CGI-S scores were compared at baseline and follow-up between the subgroups with and without symptomatic remission during 12 weeks of flexible-dose treatment with quetiapine. Results. Logistic regression revealed a low degree of negative symptoms at baseline, younger age, shorter duration of psychotic episode, early treatment response, and the absence of concomitant diseases as predictors for symptomatic remission whereas general disease severity, PANSS-8 total score, gender, alcohol or substance abuse had no predictive value. Conclusions. Our study underlines the predictive value of early treatment response and a low degree of negative symptoms in outpatients with first-episode psychosis. It also confirms the usability of the symptomatic remission criterion as a cross-sectional threshold criterion in clinical practice.

Key Words::

• Naturalistic study
• first-episode psychosis
• remission
• outcome predictors
• quetiapine

Acknowledgements

None.

Statement of interest

The study was funded by AstraZeneca Germany. P. Falkai is a member of a speaker bureau for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag and Lundbeck; has accepted paid speaking engagements in industry-sponsored symposia from AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Novartis, Lundbeck, Servier and Pfizer, and travel or hospitality not related to a speaking engagement from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck and Sanofi-Synthelabo; and has received a research grant from AstraZeneca. T. Wobrock is a member of a speaker bureau for Alpine Biomed, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Essex, Janssen Cilag; has accepted paid speaking engagements in industry-sponsored symposia from Alpine Biomed, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, Novartis, Lundbeck, Sanofi-Aventis and Pfizer, and travel or hospitality not related to a speaking engagement from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen Cilag, and Sanofi-Synthelabo; and has received a research grant from AstraZeneca. J. Köhler is a former employee of the Medical Neuroscience Department of AstraZeneca Germany. P. Klein has received financial support from AstraZeneca Germany. K. Gade has received travel or hospitality not related to a speaking engagement from AstraZeneca.