Treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, flexible-dose subgroup analysis of patients treated with extended-release quetiapine fumarate or risperidone

The present analysis assessed the efficacy of extended-release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) versus risperidone in patients with schizophrenia and depressive symptoms [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score≥20 and a HAM-D item 1 score≥2]. This was a subanalysis of patients with schizophrenia from a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, flexible-dose study (NCT00640562) that also enrolled patients with schizoaffective disorder. The primary endpoint of this noninferiority study was change from baseline to week 12 in Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia score (per protocol population). Overall, 114 patients received quetiapine XR (n=60; 400–800 mg/day) or risperidone (n=54; 4–6 mg/day). Change in Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia score was greater for quetiapine XR than for risperidone [least squares means: −7.2 vs. −4.8; treatment difference 2.4 (95% confidence interval 0.3–4.6; P
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research