Resistant Schizophrenia and Its Symptoms. is Antipsychotic Polytherapy a Good Treatment?

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

The combination of several antipsychotic drugs, or these drugs with others such as benzodiazepines orantidepressants, is a widely useddespite the absence of data to support this practice. That is because there arenegative, affective or cognitive symptomswhich not respond well to this medication. The aim of this report is to collectdata regarding the pharmacologicaltreatment of schizophrenia and psychopathologymore persistent, which hinder daily activities of patients.

Methods

We have carried out a descriptive observational study in a community mental health unit on52 patients diagnosedwith schizophrenia according ICD-10. We collected data regarding the score scales forpositive and negative syndrome, and schizophrenicpsychopathology syndrome, making asemi-structured interview and scoringeach item from oneto seven according to its degree of severity. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows(PASW Statistics 18).

Results

The average age of the sample is 40,77 ± 9,90 years and theage of onset is 22,46 ± 9,67. A 61,60% have a treatmentwith two antipsychotics and 23%with three. The percentage of patients taking other antipsychotics differentfrom psychotropic drugs is: antidepressants(30,8%), benzodiazepines (30,8%) andbiperiden (15,4%).

Conclusions

The great majority of patients with schizophrenia in ourpopulation sample are taking at leasttwo antipsychotics and sometimes other drugs like benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Moderate symptoms such as social withdrawal, apathy, relationshipdifficulties, insight or absenceof judgment, remain despite the antipsychotic polytherapy.