World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for biological treatment of schizophrenia: a short version for primary care

Alkomiet Hasan*, Peter Falkai, Thomas Wobrock, Jeffrey Lieberman, Birte Glenthøj, Wagner F. Gattaz, Florence Thibaut, Hans Jürgen Möller, WFSBP Task Force on Treatment Guidelines for Schizophrenia

*Corresponding author for this work
26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder and many patients are treated in primary care settings. Apart from the pharmacological management of disease-associated symptoms, the detection and treatment of side effects is of the utmost importance in clinical practice. The purpose of this publication is to offer relevant evidence-based recommendations for the biological treatment of schizophrenia in primary care. Methods: This publication is a short and practice-oriented summary of Parts I–III of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for Biological Treatment of Schizophrenia. The recommendations were developed by the authors and consented by a task force of international experts. Guideline recommendations are based on randomized-controlled trials and supplemented with non-randomized trials and meta-analyses where necessary. Results: Antipsychotics of different chemical classes are the first-line pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia. Specific circumstances (e.g., suicidality, depression, substance dependence) may need additional treatment options. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of side effects is of crucial importance for the long-term treatment in all settings of the healthcare system. Conclusions: This summary of the three available evidence-based guidelines has the potential to support clinical decisions and can improve treatment of schizophrenia in primary care settings.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Volume21
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)82-90
Number of pages9
ISSN1365-1501
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • primary care
  • schizophrenia
  • WFSBP treatment guidelines

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