The effects of atypical antipsychotics on obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenic patients: A comparative-naturalistic study with typical antipsychotics [Atipik antipsikotik i·lâçlarin şizofrenlerde obsesif kompulsif belirtiler üzerindeki etkisi: Tipik antipsikotiklerle karşilaştirmali bir dogal i·zlem çaliş masi]

Objective: To investigate the effect of atypical antipsychotics on obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Method: A total of 63 patients of whom 38 received atypical and 25 typical antipsychotics were enrolled to the study. The obsessive-compulsive symptoms were assessed by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms Scale (Y-BOCS) at baseline and at the end of second month that was blind to which group the patient belongs. Schizophrenic symptoms were assessed by Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Findings: 55 patients completed the study. 31 of them were on atypical antipsychotic treatment and 24 of them were on typical antipsychotic treatment. Negative symptoms were significantly higher among atypical antipsychotic group at baseline of treatment. At the end of second month there was no significant difference in the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms between two groups. Discussion and Conclusion: No significant difference was found between atypical and typical antipsychotic drugs in their effects on obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia