Effects of olanzapine long-acting injection on levels of functioning among acutely ill patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective:To assess the effects of olanzapine long-acting injection (olanzapine-LAI) on levels of functioning in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia.Research design and methods:During this 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 404 inpatients were randomized to four treatment arms (olanzapine-LAI 210 mg/2 weeks = 106; olanzapine-LAI 300 mg/2 weeks = 100; olanzapine-LAI 405 mg/4 weeks = 100; placebo = 98). Also, data from the three active dosing arms were combined and compared to placebo data.Clinical trial registration:NCT00088478Main outcome measures:The treatment group comparison of mean change from baseline to endpoint in the total score and four subdomains of the Heinrichs–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and in the 2 summary scores and 8 subscale scores of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were assessed using an ANOVA model.Results:All three olanzapine-LAI treatment groups and the combined olanzapine-LAI group were superior to placebo on the QLS total score (all p-values < 0.01) and the Intrapsychic Foundations subdomain (all p-values < 0.02). Olanzapine-LAI 210 mg/2 weeks (p < 0.001), 300 mg/2 weeks (p = 0.006), and the combined olanzapine-LAI group (p = 0.003) were superior to placebo on the Interpersonal Relations subdomain. The 300 mg/2 weeks group (p = 0.027) and the combined olanzapine-LAI group (p = 0.014) were also superior to placebo on the Instrumental Role subdomain. For the SF-36, the 300 mg/2 weeks and 405 mg/4 weeks olanzapine-LAI groups and the combined olanzapine-LAI group were superior to placebo on the Mental component score (all p-values < 0.05). Each olanzapine-LAI group and the combined group were superior on the Mental Health scale (all p-values < 0.05). Significant negative correlations between PANSS scores and measures of functioning indicate that as symptoms decreased, functioning increased.Conclusion:These results suggest that olanzapine-LAI may improve level of functioning in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia within 8 weeks of initiating treatment.