OUTCOME IN DELUSIONAL DISORDER IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIME - POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT WITH NEUROLEPTICS

The effect of neuroleptics in the treatment of schizophrenia is well e stablished. Some reports indicate that at least pimozide may be effect ive in delusional disorder as well. In this article a long-term follow -up study of 72 first-admitted patients with delusional disorder is de scribed. Outcome in patients admitted during 1946-1948 was compared wi th that of patients admitted during 1958-1961. We did not find a more favourable outcome in the group admitted after the introduction of neu roleptics. This contradicts our earlier finding for patients with schi zophrenic psychoses, indicating that neuroleptics generally may be mor e effective for schizophrenics than for patients with delusional disor der. Controlled drug trials in delusional disorder are strongly needed .