Single trajectory treatment response for predominant negative symptoms: Post-hoc analysis of a clinical trial with cariprazine and risperidone

Examining the heterogeneity of negative symptoms of schizophrenia contributes to the identification of available treatment targets. Generally, prior evidence classified three to four symptom treatment response trajectory groups over the course of positive symptoms, yet, no evidence exists regarding the heterogeneity of medium-term response to predominant negative symptoms. The current post-hoc analysis aims to identify the heterogeneity in negative symptom treatment response trajectories among patients with predominant negative symptoms who received either cariprazine or risperidone for 26 weeks. Treatment response was analyzed based on the: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Factor Score for Negative Symptoms (PANSS-FSNS), and the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales. To identify subgroups of patients with a similar course of treatment response, group-based trajectory modelling was utilized. Results demonstrated that in comparison with competing models, a single trajectory best described the treatment response of patients with predominant negative symptoms. The results indicate that patients with predominant negative symptoms with over ten years of schizophrenia respond rapidly to adequate treatment and follow a course of steady improvement.