T220. IMPACT OF SECOND-GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTIC SIDE EFFECTS ON FUNCTIONING FROM A SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENT PERSPECTIVE: GLOBAL PATIENT CENTERED SURVEY INCLUDING PATIENTS FROM ITALY
Authors: Weiss Catherine , Rasmussen Meehan Stine , Lenderking William R , Shalhoub Huda , Dias-Barbosa Carla , Schulz Andrea , Chen Justin , Greene Malik 
Published: May 2020

Background

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) used to treat patients with schizophrenia generally have lower risk of motor side effects (SEs) than first-generation antipsychotics, but they are associated with other well-known SEs. The goal of this study was to understand how specific SEs of SGAs impact daily functioning, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life of patients with schizophrenia from their own perspective.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional, participant-reported web survey, conducted globally during 2017–2018. The survey captured participants’ socio-demographic information, and assessments using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) instrument, and the Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-Effect Scale (GASS). Additionally, specific questions about functional and emotional impacts were developed for SEs recognized as being bothersome to patients,2 such as activating SEs (‘Feeling restless/unable to sit still’, ‘Shaky hands or arms’, and ‘Difficulty sleeping’) sedating SEs (‘Feeling sleepy during the day’, ‘Feeling drugged/like a zombie’) and metabolic or endocrine SEs (‘Weight gain’, ‘Problems enjoying sex’). Participants noted on a visual analog scale (VAS) the degree of impact on functioning, 0 indicating ‘no impact at all’ and 100 indicating the ‘largest degree of impact’. Participants with schizophrenia (≥18 years old) stable for at least one month, taking an SGA for 1–12 months, and self-reporting at least one SE were included.

Results

Of 6,556 respondents screened, 435 were included in the study – United States, n=180; Canada, n=99; Australia, n=28; and Europe, n=128 (Italy, n=90; Spain, n=22; Denmark, n=8; Norway, n=8). The majority of the participants were diagnosed within the last 5 years and nearly half were living with a spouse or partner. The employment rate (full time or part time) was 39.9% globally and 43.3% in Italy. Respondents in Italy were on ‘predominantly sedating’ (54.4%), and/or ‘similarly activating and sedating’ (43.3%) SGAs (as defined in Citrome, J Clin Psychopharmacol 2017). In Italy, Q-LES-Q-SF total score was (mean [standard deviation; SD]) 46.6 [9.1], out of a possible score range of 14–70 (globally, 44.3 [9.8]). Similar to other countries, participants from Italy showed lowest satisfaction scores for Q-LES-Q-SF items of ‘Sexual drive, interest and/or performance’, ‘Economic status’, and ‘Work’. In Italy, the most prevalent SEs reported on the GASS were ‘Feeling sleepy during the day’, ‘Difficulty sleeping’, and ‘Problems enjoying sex’, while globally patients reported ‘Feeling sleepy during the day’, ‘Difficulty sleeping’, and ‘Dry mouth’ as the most common SEs. More than half of the participants stated they had experienced gaining weight as an SE (52.4% globally and 62.2% in Italy). Globally, SEs perceived as bothersome by patients were reported to impact participants’ functioning and emotions. These SEs had at least a moderate to severe impact (defined by a VAS score ≥50) on all aspects of functioning (physical, psychological, social, and vocational). The most common emotions associated with SEs reported by participants were feeling ‘Frustrated’, ‘Dissatisfied’, and ‘Ashamed/embarrassed’. Generally, the results from the survey in Italy were comparable to those of the global survey.

Discussion

Findings from this survey confirm that participants taking SGAs for the treatment of schizophrenia still have many SEs, including activating and sedating SEs, sexual SEs, and weight gain. These SEs have a considerable negative impact on participant’s daily functioning and quality of life satisfaction, including on work, and sexual drive, in addition to psychosocial effects.