A retrospective analysis of quetiapine in the treatment of pervasive developmental disorders

AH Corson, JE Barkenbus, DJ Posey… - Journal of Clinical …, 2004 - psychiatrist.com
AH Corson, JE Barkenbus, DJ Posey, KA Stigler, CJ McDougle
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2004psychiatrist.com
Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and tolerability of
quetiapine for aggression, hyperactivity, and selfinjury in pervasive developmental disorders
(PDDs). Method: The medical records of all patients with PDDs diagnosed according to DSM-
IV criteria and treated with quetiapine were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received
quetiapine for at least 4 weeks and who were not concurrently treated with another
antipsychotic or mood stabilizer were included. Improvement was measured with the Clinical …
Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine for aggression, hyperactivity, and selfinjury in pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs).
Method: The medical records of all patients with PDDs diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and treated with quetiapine were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received quetiapine for at least 4 weeks and who were not concurrently treated with another antipsychotic or mood stabilizer were included. Improvement was measured with the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I), with response determined by ratings of “much improved” or “very much improved.” Data were collected from May 15, 2003 through November 30, 2003.
Results: Of 857 records reviewed, 20 patients (16 male, 4 female)(mean±SD age= 12.1±6.7 years; range, 5–28 years) received a quetiapine trial (mean±SD dosage= 248.7±198.4 mg/day; range, 25–600 mg/day) over a mean duration of 59.8±55.1 weeks (range, 4–180 weeks). Eight (40%) of 20 patients were judged “responders” to quetiapine; the mean CGI-I score for the entire group was 3.0±1.1 (minimally improved). A statistically significant improvement (p=. 002) was found between a mean pretrial CGI-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) score of 5.1±0.6 (markedly ill) and a posttrial CGI-S score of 4.2±1.1 (moderately ill). Adverse effects occurred in 50%(N= 10) of patients and led to drug discontinuation in 15%(N= 3) of patients.
Conclusion: Quetiapine was modestly effective for maladaptive behavior in patients with a PDD. Controlled studies are needed to further assess these preliminary findings.
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