Objective: The aim of this study was to learn the current and former treatment regimens of
patients with schizophrenia, and to examine the suitability of treatment period to international
treatment guidelines.
Methods: This naturalistic and retrospective study included 315 cases who applied to the
psychiatry clinic and met the diagnosis criteria for schizophrenia according to the DSM-5.
The severity of disease was evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome
Scale(PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale(CGI). The current and former
treatment approaches were examined according to the recommendations of international
treatment guidelines(NICE, APA, TMAP).
Results: Considering the current treatments of the patients, the rate of antipsychotic
monotherapy was 69.5%, the usage rate of long-acting antipsychotic was 41.9% and the rate
of clozapine treatment was 11.4%. Of the patients with sufficient information about their
history of treatment, 70.62% were found to have treatment approaches compatible with
international treatment guidelines. It was found that CGI, PANSS negative and PANSS total
scores of those with a treatment regime compatible with the treatment algorithm were
significantly lower.
Conclusion: It is necessary to have sufficient information about the medical history of
patients to plan a rational, safe and effective treatment compatible with the treatment
guidelines. Regular patient follow-up in a certain center significantly contributes to learning
the necessary patient data. It was found in the evaluations that treatment approaches
compatible with the guidelines have a positive effect on the severity of disease.
Key words: Antipsychotics, guidelines, psychosis, schizophrenia, treatment
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