A comparative study on quetiapine and chlorpromazine in the treatment of schizophrenia

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effects of quetiapine and the life quality of the patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Patients who met CCMD-3 criteria for schizophrenia were randomized into two groups. The patients with schizophrenia treated respectively with quetiapine and chlorpromazine. The efficacy was measured with Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), and the life quality was evaluated with General Quality of Life Inventory (GQOLI). The side effects were employed with Treatment Emergent Symptoms Scale (TESS) and related lab tests. 79 cases were treated with quetiapine or chlorpromazine for 12 weeks. Results:The scores of PANSS of both groups before and after the treatment were significant difference (P0.05). However, the scores of PANSS between the two groups were not significant difference (P0.05). The quetiapine group had significantly better effect than the chlorpromazine group in the fields of physical function, mental health and social function (P0.01). The side effects of quetiapine group were less than the chlorpromazine group.Conclusion:The curative effects of quetiapine and chlorpromazine are similar, but the patients with quetiapine treated have better life quality and less side effects than chlorpromazine.