Published online Mar 19, 2022. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i3.521
Peer-review started: September 22, 2021
First decision: November 8, 2021
Revised: December 14, 2021
Accepted: January 29, 2022
Article in press: January 29, 2022
Published online: March 19, 2022
Processing time: 177 Days and 1.6 Hours
Antipsychotic drugs remain the mainstay of schizophrenia treatment; however, their effectiveness has been questioned, and it is not possible to predict the response to a specific antipsychotic drug in an individual patient. Thus, it is important to compare the effectiveness of the various antipsychotics and search for possible response predictors.
To investigate the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs, we examined response trajectories and predictors for belonging to different trajectory groups.
The Bergen-Stavanger-Innsbruck-Trondheim (BeSt InTro) trial compared the effectiveness of three atypical antipsychotics-amisulpride, aripiprazole, and olanzapine-in a prospective, semirandomized, rater-blind, head-to-head design. Adult participants with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis, according to international classification of diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) F20–29, were included. Participants were followed for a period of 12 mo, with assessments at baseline; after one, three and six weeks; and after three, six, nine and 12 mo. A latent class mixed model was fitted to our data. The three-trajectory model based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score reduction was found to have adequate fit, and the study drugs, as well as various demographic and clinical parameters, were tested as predictors for belonging to the different trajectory groups.
Overall, 144 participants were included, and 41% completed the 12-mo study period. The largest trajectory group, consisting of 74% of participants, showed a PANSS total score reduction of 59% from baseline to 12 mo (Good response group). A trajectory group comprising 13% of participants had their PANSS total score reduced by 82.5% at 12 mo (Strong response group), while the last response trajectory group comprising 13% of the participants had a PANSS total score reduction of 13.6% (Slight response group). The largest part of the total reduction for the Good and Strong response groups occurred at six weeks of treatment, amounting to 45% and 48% reductions from baseline, respectively. The use of amisulpride predicted belonging to the Strong response group, while unemployment, depression, and negative psychotic symptoms at baseline increased the chance of belonging to the Slight response group, indicating a poor response to antipsychotic drug treatment.
Most of the participants (87%) had a good outcome after one year. Amisulpride users, more often than aripiprazole and olanzapine users, belonged to the response trajectory group with a strong response.
Core Tip: In this clinical trial of the three atypical antipsychotics amisulpride, aripiprazole, and olanzapine, we identified three trajectory groups of responses at the one-year follow-up. The majority of the study participants (87%) followed a trajectory of a good or strong response to antipsychotic drugs, while 13% showed a poor response. The use of amisulpride predicted belonging to the Strong response group. This antipsychotic should therefore be used more often in clinical practice. Unemployment, depression, and negative psychotic symptoms at baseline predicted nonresponse to antipsychotic drugs.