Quality of life in patients with schizophrenia: the impact of socio-economic factors and adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics drugs

Comparative effectiveness of clozapine and non-clozapine atypical antipsychotics provided by the Brazilian National Health System in adults with schizophrenia

Introduction

Currently, 21 million people live with the disease, mostly in low to middle-income countries. We aimed to assess the survival of patients with schizophrenia using clozapine compared with non-clozapine atypical antipsychotics provided by the Brazilian National Health System using real-world data.

Materials and methods

This is an open retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia to whom atypical antipsychotics were dispensed by the Brazilian National Health System between 2000 and 2015, based on deterministic-probabilistic pairing of administrative data records. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of survival and the Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted to assess the risk factors for survival via the hazard ratio (HR).

Result

Participants were 375,352 adults with schizophrenia, with an overall survival rate of 76.0% (95%CI 75.0-76.0) at the end of the cohort. Multivariate analysis indicated a greater risk of death for men (HR=1.30; 95%CI 1.27-1.32), older adults (HR=17.05; 95%CI 16.52-17.60), and in the Southeast region of Brazil (HR=1.20; 95%CI 1.17-1.23). Patients who used non-clozapine atypical antipsychotics had a 21% greater risk of death when compared to those taking clozapine (HR=1.21; 95%CI 1.14-1.29). Additionally, a history of hospitalization for pneumonia (HR=2.17; 95%CI 2.11-2.23) was the main clinical variable associated with increased risk of death, followed by hospitalization for lung cancer (HR=1.82; 95%CI 1.58-2.08), cardiovascular diseases (HR=1.44; 95%CI 1.40-1.49) and any type of neoplasia (HR=1.29; 95%CI 1.19-1.40).

Discussion

This is the first published Brazilian cohort study that evaluated survival in people with schizophrenia, highlighting the impact of atypical antipsychotics. In this real-world analysis, the use of clozapine had a protective effect on survival when compared to olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and ziprasidone.

A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Antipsychotic Drugs on the Quality of Life of Patients with Schizophrenia

Pharmacological antipsychotic drug interventions represent the cornerstone of the management of patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders. The choice of the "best" treatment should be made on the basis of several clinical domains. However, despite available treatments, the quality of life reported by patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotics is still very poor, and this outcome is rarely taken into account in trials assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of antipsychotic treatments. Therefore, we performed a systematic review in order to assess the impact of antipsychotic treatment on patients' quality of life. In particular, we aimed to identify any differences in the improvement in quality of life according to the (a) type of formulation of antipsychotic drugs (i.e., oral vs. depot vs. long-acting injectable); (b) type of the drug (first vs. second vs. third generation); and (c) patients' clinical characteristics. One hundred and eleven papers were included in the review. The main findings were as follows: (1) quality of life is usually considered a secondary outcome in trials on the efficacy and effectiveness of drugs; (2) second-generation antipsychotics have a more positive effect on quality of life; and (3) long-acting injectable antipsychotics are associated with a more stable improvement in quality of life and with a good safety and tolerability profile. Our systematic review confirms that quality of life represents a central element for selecting the appropriate treatment for people with schizophrenia. In particular, the availability of new treatments with a better tolerability profile, a proven effectiveness on patients' cognitive and social functioning, and with a more stable blood concentration might represent the appropriate strategy for improving the quality of life of people with schizophrenia.

A Methodological Review of Quality of Life Scales Used in Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence is lacking with regard to the most suitable instrument for measuring quality of life (QOL) in patients with schizophrenia. The researchers carried out a methodological review of literature pertaining to scales used to measure QOL in this population.

METHODS

Twenty-eight studies, assessing nine different QOL scales, were reviewed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.

RESULTS

While the content of most scales proved valid, the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQOLP), Self-Report Quality of Life Scale (SQOL), and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia (QLiS) outscored the other scales in almost every other domain measured by COSMIN.

CONCLUSION

LQOLP and SQOL stand out among QOL scales for patients with schizophrenia, but further evidence is required to verify this finding, and no one scale appears ideal for all patients with schizophrenia.

Drug-Induced Movement Disorders and Its Associated Factors Among Patients Attending Treatment at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic medications have both beneficial and undesired effects at a dose used for treatment purposes. Among undesired effects caused by antipsychotics, movement disorders are prevalent. However, there is no study done to determine the prevalence of movement disorders that occurred due to antipsychotics and their determinants in eastern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to find out the prevalence of drug-induced movement disorders and its determinants among patients who had been on follow-up at public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2018 at HFSUH and Jugal hospital. Extrapyramidal symptom rating scale (ESRS) was used to identify patients with drug-induced movement disorders in a sample of 411 outpatients. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the sample. Logistic regression was done to identify factors associated.

RESULTS

A drug-induced movement disorder was found in 44% of the participants: Of this, 27.3% had drug-induced pseudo-Parkinsonism, 21.2% had drug-induced akathisia, 9.5% had drug-induced tardive dyskinesia, and 3.4% had drug-induced tardive dystonia. Being female was associated with pseudo-Parkinsonism (AOR=3.6, 95% CI: 2.03, 6.35), akathisia (AOR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.73, 8.78), and tardive dyskinesia (AOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.86) and being male with tardive dystonia (AOR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.8, 18.5). Alcohol use was associated with tardive dyskinesia (AOR= 5.89, 95% CI: 2.20, 15.69).

CONCLUSION

Drug-induced movement disorder in this study was high and nearly half of patients on antipsychotic treatment were experiencing it. Age, sex, and doses of antipsychotics were factors associated with all of the types of drug-induced movement disorders.

Health-related quality of life in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics

Objective:

To assess health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, as well as to determine utility values using the EuroQol-5D-3L instrument.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a state-run pharmacy in the Brazilian National Health System. Individuals were included if they were using a single atypical antipsychotic and completed the EuroQol-5D-3L. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical data were collected. The dependent variable was the EuroQol-5D-3L utility score. Associations between the independent variables and the dependent variable were analyzed in a multiple linear regression model.

Results:

A total of 394 patients were included, and their mean utility score was 0.664±0.232. Patients treated with clozapine had the highest mean score (0.762 [0.202]), followed by olanzapine (0.687 [0.230]), risperidone (0.630 [0.252]), ziprasidone (0.622 [0.234]), and quetiapine (0.620 [0.243]). The following variables were related to higher utility scores: income, employment, clozapine use, no illicit psychoactive substance use, no suicide attempts, and no comorbidities.

Conclusion:

Evaluating health-related quality of life differences in the available atypical antipsychotics can facilitate the choice of treatment, improve health outcomes, and ensure rational prescriptions.

Association of CYP2D6 polymorphisms and extrapyramidal symptoms in schizophrenia patients receiving risperidone: a retrospective study

Background

Risperidone is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 in the liver. The gene encoding CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic. The average steady-state plasma concentration of risperidone active moiety is higher in the CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizers (IMs) compared with that in the extensive metabolizers (EMs). An association between drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms scale (DIEPSS) score and CYP2D6 polymorphisms has not been reported to date. This study investigates the association of CYP2D6 polymorphisms with the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms in schizophrenia patients receiving risperidone therapy.

Methods

Schizophrenia patients undergoing risperidone treatment were recruited for the study in the Kobe University Hospital. We evaluated extrapyramidal symptoms of schizophrenia using the DIEPSS. CYP2D6*10 and CYP2D6*14 were analyzed using TaqMan® assays, and CYP2D6*5 was analyzed using the long-PCR method. Patients with CYP2D6*1/*5, *1/*14, *5/*10, *10/*10, and *10/*14 were classified as IMs, and patients with CYP2D6*1/*1 and *1/*10 were classified as EMs. Patients with CYP2D6*5/*5, *5/*14, and *14/*14 were classified as poor metabolizers (PMs).

Results

A total of 22 patients were included in the study. No patients were classified as PMs. The dose of risperidone (mg/day) was not significantly different between EMs (n = 15) and IMs (n = 7) (median with the interquartile range: 4.0 (2.0-6.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0-7.0) mg, p = 0.31). The age and disease duration of schizophrenia were not significantly different between the EMs and IMs. The DIEPSS score in the IMs was significantly higher than that in the EMs (median with the interquartile range: 5.0 (3.5-6.5) vs. 0.0 (0.0-3.0), p < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis showed that CYP2D6 IMs is a significant risk factor for the DIEPSS (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Special attentions should be paid to the onset of extrapyramidal symptoms in schizophrenia patients identified as CYP2D6 IM undergoing risperidone therapy.

Current and potential pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for anxiety symptoms and disorders in patients with schizophrenia: structured review

OBJECTIVE

Between 30% and 62% of patients with schizophrenia present with co-morbid anxiety disorders that are associated with increased overall burden. Our aim was to summarize current and potential interventions for anxiety in schizophrenia.

DESIGN

Structured review, summarizing pharmacological and psychosocial interventions used to reduce anxiety in schizophrenia and psychosis.

RESULTS

Antipsychotics have been shown to reduce anxiety, increase anxiety, or have no effect. These may be augmented with another antipsychotic, anxiolytic, or antidepressant. Novel agents, such as L-theanine, pregabalin, and cycloserine, show promise in attenuating anxiety in schizophrenia. Psychosocial therapies have been developed to reduce the distress of schizophrenia. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown that benefit and refinements in the therapy have been successful, for example, for managing worry in schizophrenia. CBT usually involves more than 16 sessions, as short courses of CBT do not attenuate the presentation of anxiety in schizophrenia. To address time and cost, the development of manualized CBT to address anxiety in schizophrenia is being developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of coexisting anxiety symptoms and co-morbid anxiety disorders should be ascertained when assessing patients with schizophrenia or other psychoses as a range of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments are available.

Drug-induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS) Serbian Language version: Inter-rater and Test-retest Reliability

Drug-induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS) is developed in the era of second-generation antipsychotics and is suitable for evaluation of the low incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms occurring in the treatment of atypical antipsychotics, as well as the relationship between personal and social functioning. The study was carried out at the Institute of Mental Health in Serbia in 2015 Study used the 127 DIEPSS video clips material, recorded from 1987 till 2015. Four raters performed the assessment simultaneously, individually rating one assigned item immediately after seeing the video clip. For the purpose of evaluating test-retest reliability the second assessment of the same material was performed nine months after the first assessment. Inter-rater reliability was high for each individual item, with ICCs ranging from 0.769 to 0.949. The inter-rater reliability was highest for akathisia item and lowest for dyskinesia. The test-retest reliability was high for each individual item, with ICC ranging from 0.713 to 0.935. The test-retest reliability was highest for bradykinesia item and lowest for dystonia. The Serbian version of DIEPSS has high level of inter-rater and test-retest reliability. High values of concordance rates (ICC > 0.7) for each evaluated individual item suggest that items of DIEPSS are well defined.

Long-term health-related quality of life improvements among patients treated with lurasidone: results from the open-label extension of a switch trial in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Long-term improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in schizophrenia may improve adherence and reduce relapse and rehospitalization. This analysis examines long-term changes in HRQoL among patients with schizophrenia switched to lurasidone from other antipsychotics.

METHODS

Patients who completed an open-label 6-week switch study continued on lurasidone for an additional 24-weeks. HRQoL was measured using the self-reported Personal Evaluation of Transitions in Treatment (PETiT) scale and Short-Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire. The PETiT assessed HRQoL via total and domain scores (adherence-related attitude and psychosocial functioning). The SF-12 assessed patients' mental and physical component summary scores (MCS and PCS). Mean changes from the initial baseline were calculated at extension baseline and extension endpoint using analysis of covariance models. Analyses were further stratified by prior antipsychotic medication and responder status; responders were defined as having a ≥20 % improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale during the first 6-weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

The analysis included 144 patients with PETIT or SF-12 data who received ≥1 dose of lurasidone. Mean (standard deviation) PETiT total score improved significantly from 34.9 (9.3) at baseline to 39.5 (8.9) at extension baseline and 39.1 (9.0) at extension endpoint, representing improvements of 4.5 (7.9) and 5.1 (7.2) points, respectively (both p < 0.001). Significant improvements in adherence-related attitude and psychosocial functioning were observed at extension baseline and extension endpoint (all p < 0.001). Improvement in SF-12 MCS score was observed at extension baseline and endpoint, and PCS score at extension endpoint (all p < 0.01). Patients who switched from quetiapine and aripiprazole showed significant improvement of PETiT total score and adherence-related attitude at extension baseline and extension endpoint. In addition, patients who switched from quetiapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, or ziprasidone showed significant improvement in MCS scores from baseline to extension endpoint. Responders to lurasidone demonstrated greater improvement in PETiT total, psychosocial functioning, and MCS scores at extension baseline than nonresponders.

CONCLUSIONS

After switching to lurasidone, patients with schizophrenia experienced HRQoL improvements that were sustained for an additional 24 weeks of treatment. Further study is warranted to understand the implications of these improvements in terms of employment, adherence, relapse, and rehospitalization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT01143090 (June 10th, 2010).

Quality of Life and Hormonal, Biochemical, and Anthropometric Profile Between Olanzapine and Risperidone Users

This cross-sectional study compared quality of life and side effects in 108 users of olanzapine or risperidone suffering schizophrenia and being attended at psychiatric ambulatory services in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Economic, socio-demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal variables were compared. The EuroQoL Five-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D) was used to evaluate quality of life, and side effects were assessed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale and the Simpson-Angus Scale. Data were analysed using the χ(2) test and Student's t test, with a significance level of 5 %.The household incomes of approximately 80 % of patients were <2.0 minimum wages ($678). Anthropometric variables (waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, waist-to-hip ratio) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted among male olanzapine users (all p < 0.05). EQ-5D scores showed that olanzapine use significantly impacted self-help ability (p < 0.001). Risperidone users had a mean quality-adjusted life year value of 1. Mean total Simpson-Angus Scale scores was 0.38 for olanzapine users and 0.11 for risperidone users (p < 0.02). Significant differences in UKU were observed for the following items: asthenia/lassitude/fatigue (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.02), dystonia (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.01), tremors (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.03), gynecomastia (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02), and ejaculatory dysfunction (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02). Olanzapine users had impaired quality of life, which can be explained in part by adverse motor, biochemical, and hormonal effects characteristic of metabolic syndrome.

Quality of Life, Family Support, and Comorbidities in Institutionalized Elders With and Without Symptoms of Depression

The institutionalization of elders can decrease the health status and quality of life in this population. The aim of this study was to analyze the socio-demographic, quality of life, family support, and comorbidities variables in institutionalized elders with and without symptoms of depression. This was a cross-sectional study in institutions for long permanence for the elderly in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Two institutionalized elderly groups were compared (138 elders: 69 with and 69 without depressive symptoms). The instruments used were: mini-mental state examination, geriatric depression scale in the reduced version, socio-demographic questionnaire, quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated-WHOQOL-bref), and inventory of perception of family support. Elders with depressive symptoms had inferior quality of life than those without depressive symptoms. Other factors that negatively influenced the quality of life in this population include: low economic conditions, occurrence of comorbidities, and deficient family assistance. These results have important implications in the decision making process with regard to strategies for improving the health status of institutionalized elders.

Esquizofrenia refratária: qualidade de vida e fatores associados

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a qualidade de vida de pessoas com esquizofrenia refratária em uso de clozapina e seus fatores associados. Métodos Estudo de delineamento transversal, realizado na Região Ampliada Oeste de Minas Gerais, que incluiu pacientes com esquizofrenia refratária em uso do antipsicótico clozapina. Para a mensuração da qualidade de vida, foi utilizada a escala Quality of Life Scale, específica para pacientes com esquizofrenia. Foram realizadas análise univariada e multivariada. Resultados Participaram 72 pacientes, com média de idade de 42,9 anos. O escore global da Quality of Life Scale indicou qualidade de vida comprometida, com maior prejuízo no domínio rede social (mediana = 2,36). A análise de regressão logística apontou fatores associados a uma melhor qualidade de vida. Conclusão Evidenciou-se uma baixa qualidade de vida dos pacientes com esquizofrenia refratária. Praticar atividade física, renda familiar acima de três salários mínimos e possuir filhos foram associados à melhor qualidade de vida.

Targets, attitudes, and goals of psychiatrists treating patients with schizophrenia: key outcome drivers, role of quality of life, and place of long-acting antipsychotics

PURPOSE

This survey of Italian psychiatrists was conducted to better define drivers of schizophrenia treatment choice in real-life practice, particularly for use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics.

METHODS

Between October 15 and December 15, 2014, 1,000 surveys were sent to psychiatrists who treat schizophrenic patients; 709 completed questionnaires were analyzed (71% response rate).

RESULTS

The two most important factors determining therapy success were efficacy (75% of responses) and tolerability (45%) followed by global functioning (24%) and quality of life (17%). LAI antipsychotics were most often used to facilitate regular treatment monitoring (49%), and 41% of psychiatrists thought that patients with low adherence who had failed oral therapy were well-suited for LAI antipsychotics. Only 4% of respondents saw LAI antipsychotics as appropriate for patients without other therapeutic options.

CONCLUSION

Although efficacy and tolerability were the most common factors used to evaluate treatment success in schizophrenia, psychiatrists also consider QoL and global functioning to be important.

Rating scales to measure side effects of antipsychotic medication: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Many patients experience side effects during treatment with antipsychotics. This article reviews the clinical use and psychometric characteristics of rating scales used to assess side effects in patients treated with antipsychotics.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Embase, with predefined search terms.

RESULTS

In total, 52 different scales were used in the 440 articles retrieved. For multiple side effects measured with one scale, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effects Rating Scale for Clinicians was used the most, whereas the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale had the best psychometric characteristics (Cronbach's α 0.81 and test-retest reliability 0.89). The Simpson Angus Scale was used the most to rate extrapyramidal side effects, although the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center scale had the best characteristics (Cronbach's α 0.80, test-retest reliability 0.92 and inter-rater reliability 0.81-0.90). The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale was used the most to assess sexual dysfunction, but the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and the Nagoya Sexual Functioning Questionnaire had the best characteristics.

CONCLUSION

This review will help researchers and clinicians make a purpose-oriented choice of which scale to use.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42014013010.