Besides its cost, another concern over olanzapine is that many users tend to gain weight. The drug has been linked in some studies with an increased risk for diabetes.
Rosenheck said his team is eager to pursue studies analyzing the benefits of a new long-acting, injectable form of risperidone that is expected to become available and may result in better compliance.
In additional research, four VA hospitals are among 53 sites currently participating in a $42-milllion nationwide study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, comparing five atypical antipsychotic drugs to each other and to an older, traditional antipsychotic drug. Rosenheck was named director of service use and economic assessment for the study. Results are expected in 2006.
Schizophrenia, a biological disease of the brain, is the most common form of psychotic illness, affecting about 2.2 million Americans. It usually develops between ages 16 and 30. Contrary to popular notion, the disease is marked not by a "split personality," but by delusions, hallucinations, and confused thinking. People with schizophrenia may have trouble carrying on a conversation or focusing on a task, and usually show flat emotions and a lack of interest in life. They are more likely to die early, because of a higher suicide risk and other issues that arise from their mental state, such as automobile accidents, medical problems or homelessness.
VA provides health care for about 200,000 veterans with psychosis. Of these, about half have schizophrenia and more than a third have bipolar disorder. VA spends 15 percent of its total health care budget on medical and psychiatric care for this population. In fiscal year 2002, VA spent more than $35 million on res
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Contact: Pamela Redmond
pamela.redmond@mail.va.gov
203-937-3824
VA Research Communications Service
25-Nov-2003