Clozapine Optimization: A Delphi Consensus Guideline From the Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis Working Group

Abstract

Background and hypothesis: There is limited evidence to guide the approaches to clozapine treatment. Accordingly, an international initiative was undertaken with the aim of developing consensus recommendations for the optimization of clozapine monotherapy.

Study design: We conducted an online Delphi survey among members of the Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis (TRRIP) working group comprising experts from twenty-nine countries. The threshold criterion for a consensus recommendation was ≥ 75% agreement ("agree" and "strongly agree" responses) on a question. Agreement of ≥ 50% but < 75% in a second or third Delphi round was deemed to provide guidance.

Study results: Forty-nine (first round), 32 (second round), and 48 (third round) of the 91 current TRRIP members participated. Expert recommendations at ≥ 75% comprised second-line treatment with clozapine in cases of persistent positive symptoms with co-occurring extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, or suicidality/aggression. There was considerable disagreement on myocarditis screening parameters. The management of somatic and neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions warrants further research for more evidence-based recommendations. Rechallenge with clozapine was recommended for eosinophilia, sinus tachycardia and fever and guidance (agreement ≥ 50%) was reached for pneumonia and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions: Given the limited evidence available, this consensus-based series of recommendations and guidance statements supports clinical decision-making to optimize clozapine monotherapy and provides guidance for future research in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Keywords: Delphi; clozapine; consensus; schizophrenia.