Drug attitude during the initial treatment period: A prospective follow-up study in patients with schizophrenia

C. G. Widschwendter; A. Hofer; M. A. Rettenbacher; M. Edlinger; G. Kemmler; W. W. Fleischhacker

doi:10.1055/s-2007-991744

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Pharmacopsychiatry 2007; 40 - A069
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-991744

Drug attitude during the initial treatment period: A prospective follow-up study in patients with schizophrenia

CG Widschwendter ¹, A Hofer ¹, MA Rettenbacher ¹, M Edlinger ¹, G Kemmler ¹, WW Fleischhacker ¹

¹Department of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria

Congress Abstract

Introduction: In this prospective study we examined the impact of sociodemographic factors, psychopathology, and side effects on subjective response and attitudes toward antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia. Method: We investigated 42 patients starting treatment with a new-generation antipsychotic. Next to the registration of demographic data various rating scales were used: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale, and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI). Results: Longer duration of illness as well as the amelioration of psychopathological, particularly cognitive and negative symptoms, had a positive impact on subjective response to treatment. Correlations between antipsychotic-induced side effects and drug attitude tended to be weak. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the necessity of improving psychopathological symptoms during the initial treatment period in order to improve attitudes toward and compliance with treatment.