ABSTRACT
The present analysis assessed the efficacy of extended-release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) versus risperidone in patients with schizophrenia and depressive symptoms [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score≥20 and a HAM-D item 1 score≥2]. This was a subanalysis of patients with schizophrenia from a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, flexible-dose study (NCT00640562) that also enrolled patients with schizoaffective disorder. The primary endpoint of this noninferiority study was change from baseline to week 12 in Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia score (per protocol population). Overall, 114 patients received quetiapine XR (n=60; 400-800 mg/day) or risperidone (n=54; 4-6 mg/day). Change in Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia score was greater for quetiapine XR than for risperidone [least squares means: -7.2 vs. -4.8; treatment difference 2.4 (95% confidence interval 0.3-4.6; P<0.05)]. Adverse events (≥3%) among patients receiving quetiapine XR were sedation, somnolence, and dry mouth, and among those receiving risperidone were anxiety, insomnia, asthenia, hyperprolactinemia, and somnolence. Abnormally high prolactin levels were reported for 57.6 and 8.1% of patients receiving risperidone and quetiapine XR, respectively. Quetiapine XR was superior to risperidone at reducing depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage , Depression/drug therapy , Dibenzothiazepines/administration & dosage , Risperidone/administration & dosage , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Delayed-Action Preparations , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Dibenzothiazepines/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Quetiapine Fumarate , Risperidone/adverse effects , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Depressive symptoms are associated with poor outcomes, increased risk of relapse, and high suicide rates in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This randomized, open-label, parallel-group, flexible-dose study (NCT00640562) assessed the efficacy of quetiapine extended release (XR) versus risperidone on depressive symptoms in this patient population. Noninferiority of quetiapine XR versus risperidone from baseline to week 12 was assessed by least squares mean (LSM) reduction in the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Noninferiority was indicated if the difference in CDSS reductions between quetiapine XR and risperidone had a 95% confidence interval (CI) lower limit of more than -2.7. Overall, 216 patients received quetiapine XR (n = 109; 400-800 mg/day) or risperidone (n = 107; 4-6 mg/day). In the per-protocol population, LSM CDSS reductions for quetiapine XR and risperidone were 8.4 and 6.2 points, respectively (95% CI 0.8-3.7). As the lower limit of the 95% CI was more than -2.7 and the LSM reduction for quetiapine XR was 2.2 points higher than that for risperidone, noninferiority of quetiapine XR versus risperidone was demonstrated. Adverse events for quetiapine XR and risperidone were comparable. In this study, quetiapine XR was noninferior to risperidone at reducing depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
