Changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Derived Hostility Factor in Adolescents with Schizophrenia Treated with Aripiprazole: Post Hoc Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trial Data

Introduction: This post hoc analysis evaluated the effects of aripiprazole on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Hostility factor scores in adolescents with schizophrenia. Methods: In total, 302 adolescents (13-17 years) with schizophrenia were enrolled in a 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial comparing aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) with placebo. The PANSS was the primary outcome measure. To determine the effect of aripiprazole on hostility, a post hoc analysis of the PANSS Hostility factor and individual items was performed. Results: Aripiprazole was superior to placebo in reducing PANSS Hostility factor scores in adolescents with schizophrenia. After 6 weeks, aripiprazole 10 mg/day and aripiprazole 30 mg/day showed a statistically significant improvement versus placebo (-3.0, -3.7, versus -2.1; p < 0.05; last observation carried forward [LOCF]) in the PANSS Hostility factor. For aripiprazole 30 mg/day, statistically significant separation from placebo was evident from week 3 through week 6 and at week 6 for aripiprazole 10 mg/day. Individual PANSS Hostility, Uncooperativeness, and Poor Impulse Control Items showed statistically significant improvement with aripiprazole 30 mg/day over placebo at end point. Conclusions: This post hoc analysis shows that aripiprazole (10 and 30 mg/day) is an effective treatment for hostility symptoms in adolescents with schizophrenia. Clinical trials information: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00102063