Comparison of switching strategies to aripiprazole treatment in patients with schizophrenia

초록

»»NR1-047 COMPARISON OF SWITCHING STRATEGIES TO ARIPIPRAZOLE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA Chul Eung Kim M.D., Tae Yeon Suh M.D., Min Hee Kang M.D., Jung Seop Lee M.D., Jae Nam Bae. M.D. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to understand switching strategies when treated with aripiprazole. And also, participant should be able to recognize and manage the 2009 NEW RESEARCH ABSTRACTS 20 new developing adverse events after switching to aripiprazole. SUMMARY: Background: In clinical practice, changing antipsychotics is common despite of the lack of information on risks and benefits associated with medication changes. It is important to find optimal switching strategy for the patients to produce best possible outcomes. Objective : This paper assesses the clinical outcomes of three switching strategies(cross tapering, abrupt switching, tapering switch) in naturalistic real clinical settings. Method : This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV TR criteria , and treated in a University hospital in Korea between March 2005 and February 2007. Patients were evaluated for one year after switching to aripiprazole. Results : The study enrolled 48 patients from in- and outpatient department. All patients were grouped as cross tapering group(41.6%), abrupt switching group(47.9%), and tapering switch group(10.4%). The rate of aripiprazole retention for one year was 50%, 30.4%, 20% respectively. The rate of development of all kinds of adverse events was 70%, 60.9% and 80% respectively. There was no clinical significance both the rate of retention and development of adverse events among three switching strategies groups. Conclusion : Any of the three strategies evaluated in this study was safe and showed similar clinical outcomes for one year. Key Words : Aripiprazole. Switching Strat