Effect of aripiprazole versus haloperidol on PANSS Prosocial items in early-episode patients with schizophrenia
Received 23 November 2009; accepted 31 March 2010. published online 26 May 2010.
Abstract
Background and aim
Improving social functioning is critically important in early-episode schizophrenia, if patients are to achieve functional recovery. This post-hoc, pooled analysis of two studies compared the effect of aripiprazole versus haloperidol on social functioning in early-episode schizophrenia.
Methods
Data were pooled from two 52week, randomized (2:1), double-blind, multicenter studies involving 1294 patients with chronic schizophrenia who were in an acute psychotic episode and had a history of positive antipsychotic response during previous episodes. The early-episode group was defined as patients who are ≤40years of age with ≤5years' duration of illness. Social functioning was assessed by mean change from baseline on the PANSS Prosocial subscale (ANCOVA and LOCF), comprising six PANSS items, and the Modified Prosocial subscale, comprising four PANSS items. Measurements were taken at approximately monthly intervals for up to 1year.
Results
Aripiprazole (n=237) demonstrated significant improvement versus haloperidol (n=123) as early as Week 18 on both the Prosocial subscale (−4.75 versus −3.78, p<0.05) and on the Modified Prosocial subscale (−3.16 versus −2.28, p<0.05). Patients receiving aripiprazole continued to show similar significant improvement versus haloperidol at all remaining timepoints through Week 52 using the Modified Prosocial subscale, but less consistent improvement with the Prosocial subscale. Significant advantage for the aripiprazole-treated patients was observed at Weeks 46 and 52 (endpoint) with both subscales.
Conclusion
In patients with early-episode schizophrenia, aripiprazole demonstrates greater improvement than haloperidol on PANSS items related to social functioning. The cognitive and functional implications of these findings remain to be clarified in future studies.
ABSTRACT