Objective: To describe the baseline findings and study population of the Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (SOHO) Study.
Method: The SOHO study is an ongoing, large, prospective, long-term observational study of schizophrenia treatment in 10 European countries. The study population consists of out-patients who initiate therapy or change to a new antipsychotic.
Results: A total of 1096 investigators enrolled 10 972 patients. Approximately 60% of patients were men and the mean age was 40 years. Patients treated with clozapine and more than one antipsychotic are more severely ill, patients receiving depot medications have a history of non-compliance, and patients receiving their first antipsychotic for schizophrenia are most likely to receive an atypical agent.
Conclusion: The SOHO study population appears to represent European out-patients with schizophrenia in whom a treatment decision is required. Baseline findings reflect European clinical practice with respect to patients treated with individual antipsychotics.