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This cross-sectional study compared quality of life and side effects in 108 users of olanzapine or risperidone suffering schizophrenia and being attended at psychiatric ambulatory services in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Economic, socio-demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal variables were compared. The EuroQoL Five-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D) was used to evaluate quality of life, and side effects were assessed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale and the Simpson-Angus Scale. Data were analysed using the χ test and Student's t test, with a significance level of 5 %.The household incomes of approximately 80 % of patients were <2.0 minimum wages ($678). Anthropometric variables (waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, waist-to-hip ratio) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted among male olanzapine users (all p < 0.05). EQ-5D scores showed that olanzapine use significantly impacted self-help ability ( p < 0.001). Risperidone users had a mean quality-adjusted life year value of 1. Mean total Simpson-Angus Scale scores was 0.38 for olanzapine users and 0.11 for risperidone users ( p < 0.02). Significant differences in UKU were observed for the following items: asthenia/lassitude/fatigue (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.02), dystonia (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.01), tremors (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.03), gynecomastia (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02), and ejaculatory dysfunction (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02). Olanzapine users had impaired quality of life, which can be explained in part by adverse motor, biochemical, and hormonal effects characteristic of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study compared the effects of treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs on quality of life (QoL) and side effects in 218 patients with schizophrenia attending the ambulatory services of psychiatric in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Socio-economic variables were compared. The five-dimension EuroQoL (EQ-5D) was used to evaluate QoL, and side effects were assessed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale and the Simpson-Angus Scale. Data were analysed using the χ test and Student's t test, with a significance level of 5 %. Average monthly household incomes in the medication groups were 1.1-2.1 minimum wages ($339-$678). UKU Scale scores showed significant differences in side effects, mainly, clozapine, quetiapine and ziprasidone ( p < 0.05). EQ-5D scores showed that all drugs except olanzapine significantly impacted mobility ( p < 0.05), and proportions of individuals reporting problems in other dimensions were high: 63.6 % of clozapine users reported mobility problems, 63.7 and 56.3 % of clozapine and ziprasidone users, respectively, had difficulties with usual activities, 68.8 and 54.5 % of ziprasidone and clozapine users, respectively, experienced pain and/or discomfort, and 72.8 % of clozapine users reported anxiety and/or depression. Psychiatric, neurological, and autonomous adverse effects, as well as other side effects, were prevalent in users of atypical antipsychotic drugs, especially clozapine and ziprasidone. Olanzapine had the least side effects. QoL was impacted by side effects and economic conditions in all groups. Thus, the effects of these antipsychotic agents appear to have been masked by aggravating social and economic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]