Our study highlights challenges women experienced with VCP care, and the need for improved care coordination. An ideal care coordination system would be the one in which all Veterans' non-Veteran Affairs care, including scheduling, follow-up, communication with community providers, coordination of services, and transition back to Veteran Affairs care is ensured.
-Background and Objectives: Previous data from safety analysis indicate that olanzapine can result in substantial weight gain, while no change has been observed with ziprasidone. Obesity may be a threat to health and cause subjects to discontinue their antipsychotic medication. To further evaluate the differential effects of ziprasidone and olanzapine on weight gain, a study was carried out having body weight as the primary efficacy endpoint.Methods: A six-month randomized, double-blind, parallel study was carried out in male and female subjects aged 18-70 years with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR) and a clinical condition requiring treatment initiation with a new antipsychotic, ziprasidone or olanzapine 1:1, to assess treatment-related weight changes. Fifty patients were included. Efficacy outcomes were assessed at baseline and at weeks 1, 4, 12, 18 and 24. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percent change from baseline in body weight at week 24. Safety was also assessed.Results: At week 24, there was a significantly greater increase in body weight (7.5%, p < 0.0001) in patients treated with olanzapine than in those treated with ziprasidone and
EFFECTS OF ZIPRASIDONE VERSUS OLANZAPINE IN WEIGHT GAIN 249
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