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The impact of olanzapine on attitude to medication and quality of life in schizophrenia

Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust

Eileen Joyce, Reader in General Psychiatry

Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Campus, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP

AIMS AND METHOD

This study aimed to compare the subjective quality of life and attitudes to medication between groups of patients with schizophrenia taking either olanzapine or traditional antipsychotic medication.

RESULTS

The two groups were matched for age, gender, length of illness and antipsychotic group demonstrated more extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS) and akathisia. Within this group, those with EPS scored lower on the affect balance scale of the Lancashire Quality of Life Scale than those without. More patients in the olanzapine group reported that medication was taken to prevent symptoms returning.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

These results lend support to the hypothesis that the presence of EPS impairs quality of life and suggest that olanzapine therapy may improve patients' attitudes to medication.