A Control Study On The Quetiapine And Sulpiride In The Treatment Of The First-episode Schizophrenia Patients

ObjectiveTo verify the therapeutic effect and side effects of Quetiapine (Seroquel) on first-episode schizophrenia.Methods192 patients with first-episode schizophrenia who were collected from out patient clinics and wards belonged to 5 mental heath centers, were randomized divided into two groups: Quetiapine group (n = 98) which is the research group, and Sulpiride group (n = 93) which is the control group. The treatment lasted 8 weeks. The PANSS, BPRS, CGI, TESS and related lab tests were employed for assessing the therapeutic effects and side effects. All the data was put into SPSS database and analyzed by the SPSS 13.0 software.Results1. At the end of treatments, compared with baseline, the scores of PANSS and BPRS of both treatment groups significantly decreased (P < 0.01～0.05). In Quetiapine group, t values are 21.42 and 23.07, Sulpiride group, t = 17.42 and 18.2. It is significantly different with that of before treatment (P<0.001)2. At the 4^th, 6^th, 8^th week of treatments, the total scores of PANSS, negative and general psychopathology were significant different between two groups (P<0.01); Only at the 8^th week, the positive symptoms were significant different in two groups (P<0.01). The scores of Quetiapine group were much lower than that of Sulpiride group. 3. In Quetiapine group, the clinical effective rate is 61.2%, Quetiapine, 46.2%. There is a significant difference between two groups.4. Both groups had little and light side effects. In Quetiapine group, the incidence of having constipation, abnormal ECG and gaining weight is much lower than the other group. It is significant different. Even though, at the beginning of the treatment, it seemed there were more lethargy, tachycardia and dizziness in the patients treated with Sulpiride, but there is no significant difference between two groups.ConclusionQuetiapine has very good curative effect on both positive and negative symptoms of first-episode schizophrenia, especially Quetiapine has better remedial effects on improving negative symptoms and fewer side effects than Sulpiride. Quetiapine may be the first line medication for the first-episode schizophrenia.