Risperidone in the treatment of elderly patients with psychotic disorders

The authors evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of risperidone in 103 elderly patients (mean age, 71 years) with schizophrenia (75%) or s chizoaffective disorder (25%). Using the Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Sca le (ESRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Clinical Globa l Impression (CGI) scale, they conducted a prospective, open-label, 12-week trial in 14 psychiatric centers in the United States. Patients' symptoms w ere assessed at baseline and over a 12-week period. At endpoint, ESRS score s were significantly reduced, as were PANSS total and subscale scores. Ther e were no clinically significant changes in electrocardiograms, laboratory test results, or vital signs. Risperidone was well tolerated and efficaciou s in elderly patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.