Early response predicts subsequent response to olanzapine long-acting injection in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of treatment for schizophrenia
2011

Early Response Predicts Later Response to Olanzapine in Schizophrenia

Sample size: 233 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Haya Ascher-Svanum, Fangyi Zhao, Holland C Detke, Allen W Nyhuis, Anthony H Lawson, Virginia L Stauffer, William Montgomery, Michael M Witte, David P McDonnell

Primary Institution: Eli Lilly and Company

Hypothesis

Does early response to olanzapine long-acting injection predict later response in patients with schizophrenia?

Conclusion

Early response to olanzapine LAI predicts better clinical and functional outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.

Supporting Evidence

  • Early response predicted later response with high sensitivity (85%) and specificity (72%).
  • Early Responders had significantly greater improvement in PANSS scores at all time points.
  • 20% of Early Non-responders showed response by Week 8.

Takeaway

If patients with schizophrenia start feeling better within the first month of treatment, they are likely to keep improving.

Methodology

This was an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing olanzapine LAI in patients with schizophrenia.

Limitations

Results may not apply to less severe cases or longer treatment periods, and the PANSS measure used is lengthy for clinical practice.

Participant Demographics

The majority of participants were white, approximately one-third were female, and the average age was close to 40 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < .01

Statistical Significance

p ≤ .01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-244X-11-152

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