Changes in positive and negative syndrome scale-derived hostility factor in adolescents with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole: post hoc analysis of randomized clinical trial data.

Author(s): Robb AS, Carson WH, Nyilas M, Ali M, Forbes RA, Iwamoto T, Assuncao-Talbott S, Whitehead R, Pikalov A

Affiliation(s): Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010-2970, USA.

Publication date & source: 2010-02, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol., 20(1):33-8.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

INTRODUCTION: This post hoc analysis evaluated the effects of aripiprazole on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Hostility factor scores in adolescents with schizophrenia. METHODS: In total, 302 adolescents (13-17 years) with schizophrenia were enrolled in a 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial comparing aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) with placebo. The PANSS was the primary outcome measure. To determine the effect of aripiprazole on hostility, a post hoc analysis of the PANSS Hostility factor and individual items was performed. RESULTS: Aripiprazole was superior to placebo in reducing PANSS Hostility factor scores in adolescents with schizophrenia. After 6 weeks, aripiprazole 10 mg/day and aripiprazole 30 mg/day showed a statistically significant improvement versus placebo (-3.0, -3.7, versus -2.1; p < 0.05; last observation carried forward [LOCF]) in the PANSS Hostility factor. For aripiprazole 30 mg/day, statistically significant separation from placebo was evident from week 3 through week 6 and at week 6 for aripiprazole 10 mg/day. Individual PANSS Hostility, Uncooperativeness, and Poor Impulse Control Items showed statistically significant improvement with aripiprazole 30 mg/day over placebo at end point. CONCLUSIONS: This post hoc analysis shows that aripiprazole (10 and 30 mg/day) is an effective treatment for hostility symptoms in adolescents with schizophrenia. Clinical trials information: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00102063.