Clinical and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of switch to olanzapine in veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

BACKGROUND: Second-generation atypical antipsychotics improve the outcome of patients with schizophrenia, although studies of their cost efficacy in comparison to first-generation conventional antipsychotics have yielded mixed results. OBJECTIVES: This study examines the cost effectiveness outcome of olanzapine treatment in veterans with schizophrenia (n 5 22) or schizoaffective disorder (n 5 4). METHODS: Health-care utilization and costs associated with prospective olanzapine treatment were compared with those of retrospective first-generation neuroleptic treatment in a mirror-image design. RESULTS: The analysis of variance with repeated measures for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS; n 5 22) showed a significant main effect of olanzapine treatment (p , .025), and the effect was of medium-to-large size (h2 5 .13). The PANSS-positive subscale (p , .005) and the PANSS general subscale (p , .005) significantly decreased, but the PANSS negative subscale did not change. The quality of life survey (n 5 21) significantly increased (p , .025), and the effect size was large (h2 5 .14). For VA outpatient and inpatient care, study patients incurred an average cost difference of 2$1,289 (NS) and 2$6,682 (NS), respectively. Combining inpatient and outpatient VA care, patients incurred an annual difference of 2$7,971 per patient (NS). These numerically lower costs were due, in part, to a slower growth rate in outpatient encounters (p 5 .013), lower overall cost per outpatient encounter (p 5 .008), and a lower overall inpatient encounter rate (p 5 .005). CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine treatment resulted in improvements in positive and general psychiatric symptoms, as well as quality of life. Negative symptoms did not change significantly. Though not statistically significant, the postbaseline health-care costs and utilization declined.

Divalproex for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: a retrospective chart review.

Objective. Open label trials of divalproex in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show positive results. The objective of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of divalproex in a larger naturalistic sample of patients with PTSD. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 325 veteran charts identified through a computerized search of PTSD diagnosis matched with pharmacy records (any form of divalproex). The medication names, doses, labs, and dates (except for the divalproex index visit) were blackened. An investigator blinded to the order of visits and blackened information rated the progress notes preceding and following psychopharmacological intervention with divalproex with the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Improvement (CGI-I). Results. Fifty patients met eligibility criteria. Three were treated with divalproex monotherapy and 47 were treated adjunctively. The improved endpoint CGI-I differed significantly from "no change" (P<0.000001). Twenty-five (50%) were rated as very much or much improved on the CGI-I. Patients treated in primary care had a greater improvement compared to those in the mental health setting (P<0.005). Divalproex dosage and serum valproic acid levels (n=37) were well correlated (r = 0.57, P<0.0005). Conclusion. Divalproex treatment improves the global clinical function of veterans with PTSD. Further controlled study is warranted.

Baclofen treatment for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown the efficacy of gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABA(B)) receptor agonists in treating anxiety in patients with panic disorder and in treating depression and anxiety in alcoholic patients. We hypothesized that baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, would be an effective treatment in the symptomatic management of veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: Fourteen male veterans with chronic, combat-related PTSD were enrolled in an open-label, 8-week, monotherapy trial of baclofen titrated to a maximum of 80 mg/d in 3 divided doses. The primary outcome measure was the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and secondary outcome measures included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions. RESULTS: In the 11 patients who completed the 8-week trial, the mean total CAPS score decreased significantly from baseline (from 82.9 +/- 16.1 to 63.5 +/- 21.2). The avoidance and hyperarousal subscales showed significant decreases (from 36.2 +/- 6.2 to 26.5 +/- 9.6 and from 31.9 +/- 6.5 to 22.1 +/- 7.1, respectively), whereas the re-experiencing subscale remained unchanged. Significant improvements were also noted on all secondary outcome measures. Treatment response was noted within the first 4 weeks of treatment and was maintained throughout the trial. Baclofen therapy was well tolerated, as only 1 patient dropped out due to adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Baclofen therapy was effective in treating both the PTSD symptoms and accompanying depression and anxiety in patients with chronic PTSD due to combat. Larger, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of baclofen in the treatment of PTSD.