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Abstract
Objective. To evaluate depressive symptoms regarding their association with the acute outcome in first-episode schizophrenia comparing risperidone and haloperidol. Method. A total of 274 patients were analysed within a double-blind randomized controlled trial and treated with risperidone or haloperidol. The patients were grouped according to their baseline HAMD-21 total score in a “depressed” (HAMD-21 ≥16) or “non-depressed” (HAMD-21 <16) patient subgroup. PANSS, HAMD-21, GAF, SOFAS and AIMS ratings were performed. Early response was defined as an initial 20% reduction of the PANSS total score from admission to week 2, response as an at least 50% reduction of the PANSS total score from admission to discharge and remission according to the consensus criteria. Results. A total of 124 patients were classified as depressive at baseline with 22 patients still being depressive at discharge. The depressed and non-depressed patients did not significantly differ regarding the treatment with risperidone and haloperidol (P = 0.2270). The depressive patients suffered from significantly more suicidal tendencies (P = 0.0165), had significantly less insight into their illness (P = 0.0152) and featured significantly worse functioning (P = 0.0066). Patients with depressive symptoms achieved remission significantly less often than non-depressed patients. Conclusion. The importance of a specific and adequate treatment of depressive symptoms is highlighted.
Acknowledgements
The study was performed within the framework of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research BMBF (grant 01 GI 9932 and 01 GI 0232). Risperidone and haloperidol and the blinding and randomization procedure were provided by Janssen-Cilag, Germany.
Statement of interest
None to declare.