Psychiatrist.comEffect of Lurasidone on Social Functioning in Schizophrenia: Post Hoc Analysis of the JEWEL Study

Sustained Social Functioning Improvement with Lurasidone Treatment

The JEWEL study provides valuable insights into the impact of lurasidone on social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Through rigorous examination in both a 6-week double-blind phase and a 12-week open-label extension, this research offers comprehensive data on the therapeutic benefits of lurasidone, presenting a significant advancement in the treatment of schizophrenia with a focus on improving patients’ social capabilities.

Study Design:

• Participants: 478 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia per DSM-IV-TR criteria, randomized to lurasidone 40 mg/d (n=245) or placebo (n=233) for 6 weeks, followed by a 12-week extension phase with flexibly dosed lurasidone (40–80 mg/d) for 287 patients.
• Duration: The study initiated in May 2016 and completed in November 2018.
• Measurement: Social functioning was assessed using the 4-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) prosocial subscale.

Key Findings:

• Short-term Improvement: After 6 weeks, lurasidone-treated patients showed significantly greater improvement in social functioning compared to placebo (P<.01), with an effect size of 0.33 at week 6.
• Early and Consistent Benefits: Significant improvements in the PANSS prosocial subscale were observed as early as week 2, continuing through weeks 4 and 5 (P<.05 to P<.001).
• Long-term Efficacy: During the 12-week extension phase, patients receiving lurasidone experienced further reductions in PANSS prosocial subscale scores, indicating sustained improvement in social functioning.

HCN Medical Memo
Lurasidone treatment led to sustained improvements in social functioning among schizophrenia patients, showing comparable efficacy to other atypical antipsychotics over an 18-week study period.

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