Treatment of schizophrenia evaluated via the pharmacopsychometric triangle-An integrative approach with emphasis on well-being and functioning

• Published in: NPJ schizophrenia Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 88
• Main Authors: Kølbæk, Pernille, Mors, Ole, Correll, Christoph U, Østergaard, Søren D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Nature Publishing Group 16.12.2023; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Antidepressants; Antipsychotics; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Clinical decision making; Clinical outcomes; Mental depression; Psychotropic drugs; Quality of life; Schizophrenia; Self report
• ISSN: 2754-6993; 2754-6993; 2334-265X
• DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00420-6

Quantification of treatment response is crucial to optimize outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between quantitative measures of clinician-rated symptom severity and self-rated side effects, well-being, and functioning among inpatients with schizophrenia using the six-item version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-6), the Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effect Scale (GASS), the WHO-Five Well-being Index (WHO-5), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). All measurements were conducted as close to admission and discharge as possible. Well-being and functioning were found to be most strongly associated with the additive effect of symptoms and side effects, while changes in side effects, well-being, and functioning appeared to be relatively independent from changes in symptom severity. The use of both symptom and side effect measures should inform clinical decision-making in the treatment of schizophrenia, as it has the potential to optimize functioning and well-being.