Risperidon vs. Other antipsychotics in schizophrenia: the assessment of patients' attitudes.

Objective: The multicentric prospective study was conducted to examine patients' attitudes toward risperidone in comparison to any previous antipsychotic treatment.
Subjects and Method: Ninety three subjects with a schizophrenia or schizoaffective psychotic disorder (ICD-10), previously treated with any antipsychotics, were included in the study and treated with risperidone during 8 weeks. At the baseline, symptoms were assessed by PANSS and history of previous medication was recorded. At the end of the study, patients' attitudes were examined by eight-items questionnaire and PANSS was scored.
Results: Ninety five percent of patients previously treated with FGA (80%), SGA(5%) or combination (10%) completed the study, with improvement expressed in 62% change of the total PANSS score. Eight items questionnaire yielded risperidone to be superior to other regarding all questions. For continuation of the treatment, 83% of patients had chosen risperidone.
Conclusion: Patients' attitudes and satisfaction with treatment should be monitored carefully because it appears to be related strongly to their readiness to take medication as prescribed, and thereby to outcome.