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Quetiapine Shows Potential for Treating Early Psychosis: Presented at CPA

By Donalee Moulton

HALIFAX, NS -- November 3, 2003 -- Quetiapine appears to provide significant improvement after 1 year of treatment, and is maintained for at least 2 years in patients with early schizophrenia, according to results of a small study presented at the 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, held October 30^th to November 2^nd in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The open-label, flexible-dose study began with 33 men and seven women diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and with less than 6 months of antipsychotic treatment. All patients enrolled in the 2-year study were treated with quetiapine and dosing was reflective of response and tolerability.

To date, 27 patients have completed a 1-year assessment and 15 patients have completed a 2-year assessment, said Hazel Woodley, BsN, a member of the psychiatric team from Nova Scotia Hospital and Dalhousie University, Halifax.

The mean dose of quetiapine at 1 year was 569.44 mg/day and 580 mg/day at 2 years. Although no significant differences in dosing based on gender were found, patients with a history of antipsychotic use tended to require a higher dose of quetiapine than those with no prior history.

Assessments of function, behaviour and adverse effects were completed at baseline and every 6 months thereafter. Measurement tools included Positive and Negative Syndrome Score (PANSS), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS), body weight and ocular exams.

Significant improvement was found after the first year on at least four measures, and this improvement was maintained by the end of the second year. No ocular changes were noted, and no drug-induced extrapyramidal syndromes were found. Those patients who had EPS present at baseline saw a decline in these syndromes. Weight gain was recorded at the end of the first year (mean 9.82 kg) but this decreased slightly by Year 2 (mean 7.89 kg).


[Study title: Quetiapine Treatment in Early Psychosis. One and Two Year Outcomes Abstract P1-10]

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