Subjective response to neuroleptics and outcome in schizophrenia: a re-examination comparing two measures

Abstract

The schizophrenic patient's early psychological response to neuroleptic treatment has been demonstrated to be a significant predictor of treatment response. The validity of the construct of subjective response is evaluated by comparison of two measures. Fifty-five recently admitted and unmedicated schizophrenic patients were randomly allocated to chlorpromazine or haloperidol. Subjective responses at 24 and 48 hours as assessed by two different scales, the Van Putten & May scale and the self-administered Drug Attitude Inventory, were strongly correlated with outcome at three weeks. Early emergence of extrapyramidal symptoms was not related to subjective response, but dysphoric patients had a greater incidence of EPS by the end of treatment than did non-dysphoric patients. The two measures showed high concordance in identification of early drug dysphoria.