QuestionQuestion
Are the findings of trials on second-generation antipsychotics clinically relevant?
Outcomes
The primary measure was overall clinical change in psychiatric condition, as measured with the Clinical Global Impression change (CGI-C) score. Scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were converted to notional CGI-C scores.
MethodsDesign
Systematic review.
Data sources
References were identified from a previous systematic review of second-generation antipsychotics that included studies published up to 2001. This was supplemented by a search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from 2002 to the end of 2007.
Study selection and analysis
Second-generation antipsychotic drug evaluation studies reference in previous systematic reviews, or published between 2002 and 2007. Inclusion criteria were participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, evaluation of at least one second-generation antipsychotic drug that is or has been licensed, outcome measure of change in…