Aripiprazole Effects in Patients with Acute Schizophrenia Experiencing Higher or Lower Agitation.
- Author:
Kwang Hun LEE
1
;
Jeong kyu SAKONG
;
Ji Hyun SHIN
;
Young Hoon HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea. nostre6@msn.com
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Aripiprazole;
Acute schizophrenia;
Efficacy;
Agitation
- MeSH:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Dihydroergotamine;
Humans;
Piperazines;
Quinolones;
Schizophrenia;
Aripiprazole
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2009;48(5):320-327
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and predictors of response to aripiprazole treatment in acute schizophrenic patients. We investigated whether baseline agitation level influences the treatment response, and examined the effects of oral aripiprazole in acute patients with schizophrenia experiencing either higher or lower levels of agitation. METHODS: In this 8-week non-comparative clinical trial, 19 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of acute schizophrenia were enrolled. They were divided into groups experiencing higher or lower agitation at baseline. PANSS scores, CGI scores, GAF scores, and PANSS-EC score were used for efficacy assessments. RESULTS: 63.2% of patients completed the study. The average dosage of aripiprazole was 26.2+/-4.8 mg. Treatment with aripiprazole resulted in significant improvement from baseline in all efficacy measures. In both the higher and lower groups, aripiprazole treatment produced significantly lower PANSS total and PANSS-EC scores, compare with baseline. Moreover, these significant improvements were sustained throughout a 8-week period. A shorter duration of the present episode is associated with a better clinical response. Extrapyramidal symptoms were observed in 36.8% of patients; however, the side effects did not influence the treatment response. CONCLUSION: High doses of aripiprazole significantly improved acute symptoms of schizophrenia irrespective to baseline agitation level, without any significant adverse event. These results suggest that aripiprazole is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with acute schizophrenia who manifest agitation symptoms.
