Sulpiride in the treatment of somatoform disorders: Results of a European observational study to characterize the responder profile

An open, observational study was conducted in five European countries to ob tain information concerning the profile of patients responding to sulpiride . A total of 13S6 patients were evaluable for analysis. The majority of pat ients (81.1%) had at least three principal somatic complaints; asthenia bei ng the most common, followed by dizziness and headache. Most patients (76.0 %) were rated as moderately to extremely ill according to the Clinical Glob al Impression (CGI) severity score. All patients received oral sulpiride fo r 3 - 6 weeks (mean dose, 175 mg/day). Sulpiride demonstrated good efficacy as shown by a reduction in the incidence and severity of somatic complaint s, and an improvement in CGI severity score and the Hopkins Symptom Checkli st - 58 items. Based on a CGI rating of very much or much improved, 58.2% o f patients were rated as responders. Sulpiride was well tolerated. There we re no serious adverse events and only 16 patients (1.2%) were withdrawn pre maturely from the study due to adverse events. There were no differences be tween the countries regarding the patients' profile or their response to su lpiride. Thus, the prescription profile of sulpiride appears not to be cult urally dependent.