Depressive Symptomatology: Comparative Evaluation of Typical versus Atypical Antipsychotics in Schizophrenic Patients using MADRS Scale.

Bhardwaj R; Nag P; Srivastava B; Gaur S; Kaul V

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2016

Depressive Symptomatology: Comparative Evaluation of Typical versus Atypical Antipsychotics in Schizophrenic Patients using MADRS Scale.

Bhardwaj R, Nag P, Srivastava B, Gaur S, Kaul V

Abstract :

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy among conventional antipsychotics Haloperidol, Thioridazine versus newer atypical antipsychotic agents Olanzapine, Risperidone on depressive symptomatology in Schizophrenic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An open label randomized prospective study was conducted in stable Schizophrenics for 12 weeks.A total no of 40 patients diagnosed according to DSM– IV criteria were divided into 4 groups. Group I(n=10) received haloperidol 5–20 mg/day. Group II(n=10) received thioridazine 50–800mg/day. Group III(n=10) received Olanzapine 5–20mg/day. Group IV(n=10) received Risperidone 1–12mg/day. Evaluation of changes on depressive symptomatology done by MADRS scores. RESULTS: Intra group comparison showed significant reduction (p<0.001) that is, (31.6±1.14 to 22.2±1.01) and (29.2±1.37 to 23.1±0.60) in the haloperidol and thioridazine group at the end of study. Intragroup comparison showed significant reduction (p<0.001) that is (29.8±0.81 to 15.2±0.53) and (30±0.94 to 18.4±0.66) in the olanzapine and risperidone group at the end of study. Pronounced effects were observed from 3 weeks onwards with both the newer antipsychotics. Intergroup comparison between olanzapine, risperidone as against haloperidol and thioridazine was significant (p<0.001) at the end of 6 and 12 weeks and that between olanzapine and risperidone at the end of 6 weeks (p<0.05) and 12 weeks (P<0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: Olanzapine and risperidone exhibited faster and greater improvement in depressive symptoms as compared to the conventional antipsychotics. Further, olanzapine is superior to risperidone in this scale.