Efficacy and Clinical Determinants of Antipsychotic Polypharmacy in Psychotic Patients Experiencing an Acute Relapse and Admitted to Hospital Stay: Results from a Cross-Sectional and a Subsequent Longitudinal Pilot Study. (27th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iasevoli, Felice; Buonaguro, Elisabetta F.; Marconi, Massimo; Di Giovambattista, Emanuela; Rapagnani, Maria Paola; De Berardis, Domenico; Martinotti, Giovanni; Mazza, Monica; Balletta, Raffaele; Serroni, Nicola; Di Giannantonio, Massimo; de Bartolomeis, Andrea; Valchera, Alessandro
• Other Names: Froldi G. Academic Editor.; Mico J.-A. Academic Editor.; Wada K. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN pharmacology. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01-27
• Subjects: Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacological Phenomena; Pharmacology; Pharmacology; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/762127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5165

Abstract

Abstract : Background. Antipsychotic polypharmacy is used in several psychiatric disorders, despite poor evidence existing to support this practice. Aim. We evaluated whether psychotic patients in acute relapse exposed to antipsychotic polypharmacy (AP + AP) showed different demographic, clinical, or psychopathological features compared to those exposed to one antipsychotic (AP) and whether AP + AP patients showed significantly higher improvement compared to AP patients after a 4-week treatment. Methods. Inpatients were subdivided into AP + AP and AP ones. In the cross-sectional step, patients were compared according to demographics, clinical variables, and scores on rating scales. In the longitudinal step, patients remained for 4 weeks under admission medications and were compared for clinical improvement. Results. AP + AP patients were more frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia and mental retardation as a comorbid illness. AP + AP patients were more frequently under first-generation antipsychotics and had worse clinical presentation. After 4 weeks of treatment, both AP + AP and AP patients improved compared to the baseline. However, AP patients scored significantly less than AP + AP patients at the Clinical Global Impression Scale at the 4-week time point but not at the baseline, indicating a treatment-specific improvement. Conclusions. Antipsychotic polypharmacy may be offered to specific types of psychotic patients. However, efficacy of this strategy is limited at best.