Am J Psychiatry 1996; 153:951-952
Copyright © 1996 by American Psychiatric Association
Time required for initial improvement during clozapine treatment of refractory schizophrenia
WH Wilson
Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3111, USA. wilson@OHSU.edu
OBJECTIVE: To characterize better the length of time required for the onset
of improvement during clozapine treatment for refractory schizophrenia, the
author reanalyzed data from a naturalistic outcome study. METHOD: Medical
records of 100 adults sequentially treated with clozapine in a state
hospital were reviewed through 18 months. A priori criteria were used to
categorize change in a measure of global social functioning. RESULTS: Of 73
patients who met the criteria for at least some improvement during
clozapine treatment, 55 demonstrated initial improvement within 6 months,
and the remainder demonstrated improvement by month 11. Response at 3
months was significantly correlated with outcome at 18 months. CONCLUSIONS:
Gross social improvement as measured in this study is likely to lag behind
more sensitive indicators of clinical response. This study supports the
notion that initial response to clozapine occurs within the first few
months of treatment.
