A Clinical Trial of Combined Treatment with Estrogen and Antipsychotics in Females with Chronic Schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was a open clinical trial aimed at exploring the effectiveness of combined treatment with estrogen and antipsychotics to the chronic female schizophrenics. METHOD: 40 female patients who met DSM-VI criteria for schizophrenia who were chronically ill were randomly assigned to estrogen group(EG) and control group(CG). EG patients were received estrogen 1.25mg for 8 weeks in addition to their routine antipsychotic regimens. CG patients were received their routine antipsychotic regimens only. Both groups were evaluated by PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), CGI(Clinical Global Impression) at 0, 4, 8 week during the trial period and compaired with each other. RESULTS: 40 female patients have completed the study during 8 weeks. EG was significantly improved in PANSS and CGI scores than CG during the 8 weeks. In EG patients, all symptom subtypes(positive symptoms, negative symptoms, general psychopathology symptoms) of PANSS were significantly improved and positive symptoms were most significantly improved at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This results support the clinical value of combined estrogen therapy among chronic female schizophrenics.