A Prospective 12-Week Study of Quetiapine in Adolescents with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of quetiapine in adolescents with schizophrenia, schizophreniform, and schizoaffective disorders in a prospective open-label study. Method: A total of 56 subjects (all-subjects-treated, AST), ages 12–17, received 200–800 mg of quetiapine per day (forced titration to 400 mg within week 1; median study dose 600 mg/day at week 6) in Germany, 2002 through 2004. Primary outcome measure was the change of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (based on the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, n = 52), secondary outcome measures were changes of PANSS subscales, severity of illness, subjective wellbeing, and safety/tolerability (the latter based on the AST population). Correlates of PANSS response (=50% reduction in PANSS total score) and discontinuation due to lack of effectiveness were analyzed by Cox regression analyses. Results: Twenty seven subjects (48%) completed the study; 17 subjects (30%) were ...