Trajectories of antipsychotic response in drug-naive schizophrenia patients: results from the 6-month ESPASS follow-up study

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore any heterogeneity in the 6-month clinical response in patients with antipsychotic drug-naive schizophrenia and to determine predictors of that outcome.

Method: 467 patients with antipsychotic drug-naive schizophrenia were included in France nationwide and followed up over 6 months. To identify trajectories of clinical response, a latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was performed using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Regression models were used to identify predictors of trajectory membership.

Results: Five trajectory groups were identified: a rapid response group (n = 45), a gradual response group (n = 204), patients remaining mildly ill (n = 133), patients remaining very ill (n = 23), and a group with unsustained clinical response (n = 62). Predictors of the 6-month clinical response were baseline CGI-S score (odds ratio: 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-4.4) and negative symptoms (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9). The sole predictor of rapid response as compared to gradual response was employment (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9).

Conclusion: Clinical response in patients with schizophrenia 6 months after a first-ever antipsychotic drug initiation is heterogeneous. Therapeutic strategies in first episode should take account of symptom severity and early clinical response, to maximize the chances of recovery.