J Korean Soc Biol Psychiatry.  1997 Jun;4(1):127-131.

Adjuvant Sertraline Treallnent for Chronic Schizophrenia :A Randomized, Double Blind, Placeho-Controlled Study

• Lee MS
• Kim YK
• Lee SK
• Suh KY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of adjuvant sertraline treatment in chronic schizophrenic patients, we carried out a double-blind, placebo controlled study. METHOD: Thirty six inpatients who fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for chronic schizophrenia were randomly assigned to sertraline and placebo groups in a double-blinded fashion. A history of at least 2 years of illness and at least six months of hospitalization were prerequisities for inclusion in the study. Patients were received sertraline 50mg or placebo for 8 weeks in addition to their routine haloperidol regimen, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), Clinical Global Impression(CGI), Simpson-Angus Scale(S-A) were evaluated at 5 points ; baseline, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS
The groups were controlled for age, gender, and length of illness. There were no significant differences in three PANSS factros(positive, negative, general), CGI and S-A scale scores at any between sertraline and placebo treatment.
CONCLUSION
This placebo controlled study showed no significant effects of sertraline on negative and positive symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients.

MeSH Terms

Haloperidol
Hospitalization
Humans
Inpatients
Schizophrenia*
Sertraline*
Haloperidol
Sertraline