Risperidone in adolescent schizophrenic psychoses: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic effect and tolerability of risperidone in patients with early-onset schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders. Methods. Our retrospective study included 47 schizophrenic patients (27 boys, 20 girls) with an average age of 16.5±1.3 years. The patients were evaluated based on their medical records prior to being started on risperidone, and then after 1, 3 and 6 weeks of risperidone administration. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated using the first item on the CGI scale. Survivors analysis was used. Results. After week 6, the average dose of risperidone was 3.8±1.4 mg. Eighty-two percent of the patients were evaluated as responders, 64% as full responders and 18% as partial responders. There were eight patients who dropped out of the study during treatment. The initial inclusion score on the CGI was 5.8±0.7. This score showed a steady decrease at each evaluation point during the treatment. At week 1 the score was 4.5±1.1 (P<0.001), at week 3, 3.4±1.2 (P<0.001), and at week 6 it was 2.6±1.2 (P<0.001). The medication was well tolerated. Less than half of the patients (46%) reported any side effects, according to their medical records. Parkinsonism (19%), sedation (8.5%) and hypersalivation (8.5%) were the most commonly reported side effects. The mean weight of the participants increased from 61.2±10.0 kg to 64.7±10.0 kg between baseline and week 6 (P=0.002). Conclusion. Our experience supports the use of risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenic disorders in adolescence.