Harmsel, I. ter (Iris) (2021) Does sex matter? Similar prescription- and side effect profiles of antipsychotics for men and women after a first-episode psychosis. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background Robust evidence indicates that men and women have distinct responses to antipsychotic medications (APs). Yet, knowledge on possible differences in side effects is currently insufficient to establish sex-based treatment guidelines. This study aimed to determine to what extent sex-based differences exist in the side effects of APs. Methods We included patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder in remission of their first-episode psychosis, who were currently treated with APs. Primary outcome measures were the Subjects’ Response to Antipsychotics and Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptics scales. We compared 155 men and 70 women across five subgroups: all APs together (n = 212), olanzapine (n = 91), aripiprazole (n = 41) and APs with low (n = 117) or high (n = 95) dopamine receptor type 2 (D2R) affinity. In addition, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), prescription patterns of APs and treatment adherence were examined. Results Men reported more general somatic side effects and akathisia than women when using olanzapine or low D2R-affinity APs. Women reported more autonomic side effects than men when using aripiprazole or high D2R-affnitiy APs. However, statistical significance disappeared after correcting for multiple testing. We found higher treatment adherence among women (p = 0.030). No sex differences in overall side effect scores, DUP and prescription patterns were found. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate no clear sex differences in the side effects of APs, in contrast to previous studies. This challenges the need of sex-based guidelines for treatment with APs. Further research should use a larger sample size and objective questionnaires to provide more clarity.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Sommer, dr. I.E.C. and Begemann, dr. M.J.H. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Dec 2021 14:28 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Dec 2021 14:28 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2899 |
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