CLOZAPINE ELIGIBILITY - THE EFFECT OF STRINGENT CRITERIA ON ETHNIC, GENDER AND AGE SUBGROUPS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

1. The purpose of this retrospective chart review study was to determi ne whether broad and stringent criteria differentially impact clozapin e eligibility in ethnic, gender, and age subgroups of schizophrenic pa tients. 2. 505 patient charts were selected from a random cluster samp le of mental health patients known to the city and county of San Franc isco. Information related to clozapine eligibility was abstracted by t rained non-clinical personnel. The impact of subgroup membership on el igibility was examined using logistic regression procedures. 3. Even u nder the broadest interpretation of FDA requirements for clozapine use , Asian patients were less likely to be eligible, since fewer Asian pa tients met clozapine treatment requirements. Under more stringent elig ibility criteria, older patients were more likely to be excluded from eligibility when TD does not automatically satisfy treatment criteria, and younger patients were more likely to lose eligibility if the numb er of required adequate medication trials increases to three. 4. Broad eligibility criteria tend to differentially exclude Asian patients wh ile more stringent criteria differentially exclude younger and older p atients.