Impact of Clozapine on Clinical Outcomes – Severely Ill
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of clozapine on aggressive behavior and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Methods: Charts of six children and adolscents who were consecutively admitted to a long-term care facility were reviewed for clinical outcomes including seclusion and restraints incidents prior to and during clozapine treatment, and a representative case-history is presented.
Results: Clinically significant improvements were noted in social interactions, decreases were noted in the number of violent episodes, homicidal and suicidal thoughts. The global assessment of functioning scores improved significantly. There was significant weight gain.
Conclusions: These cases illustrate the benefits of clozapine in refractory childhood onset schizophrenia, similar to outcomes described in adults. Even though open data llimts conclusions from this study, it is pertinent that there was a clinically significant improvement with aggressive behaviors. This may be particularly important from the point of view of improved morale for patients, their families, and treating staff.
(submitted for publication]