Treatment patterns of schizophrenic outpatients in Greece (The Greek ‘ACE’ study)

Abstract

Purpose:

To assess the current treatment patterns and clinical care of schizophrenic patients in Greece.

Methods:

The Greek ‘ACE’ study is a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter national survey conducted in outpatient setting by 101 psychiatrists (under 3 Coordinators Psychiatrists) proportionately distributed all over Greece who registered during one only visit the first twenty consecutive patients presenting at their consultation. Observational period :29/09/2005 -22/12/2005.

Recruited 2040 patients over 18 years, with an ICD-10 primary diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Results:

(87.23%) of male patients receive antipsychotic drugs and other therapeutic treatments for schizophrenia in a statistically significantly higher percentage than the one of females (81.47%),(p-value=0.0004).

98.85% of males receive antipsychotic treatments versus 99.56% of females (p-value=0.1185).

35.22% of male patients receive non-drug treatment versus 33.24% of females (p-value=0.3966).

Most often prescribed antipsychotics in this sample are: Risperidone: 28.90%(Males 29.43%, females 28.11%), Haloperidole: 22.96%(23.62%,21.96% respectively,), Olanzapine: 21.39%(20.72%, 22.40%), Aripiprazole: 17.60% (15.68%,20.50%) Quetiapine: 9.50%:(9.00%, 10.25%), Amisulpride: 8.51%(9.78%, 6.59%), Ziprasidone: 8.33% (9.00%,7.32%), Clozapin:7.28% (8.52%, 5.42%), Zuclopenthixol: 1.98% (2.52%,1.17%).

The average daily dosage for each of the above-mentioned medications for the whole sample and by gender has also been assessed whether they are used as monotherapy or as part of polytherapy.

Conclusions:

In Greece, more male Schizophrenic patients compared to females are receiving care for their illness. Second generation antipsychotic treatments represent the treatment of choice.