Submited on: 24 Sep 2011 06:42:23 PM GMT
Published on: 25 Sep 2011 03:38:01 PM GMT
 

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    Clozapine is a drug of difficult management.  It's use is hampered by a high number of side effects. The most common limitation is represented by a limited acceptance by patients who tend to avoid the requested blood tests.

    Piantato and Sartore (Alessandria Hospital, Italy) presented the results obtained by analyzing a large cohort of patients with different psychotic disorders, but treated with clozapine.

    The number of patients recruited and the length of the period during which the patients were observed (scoring over 15 years) is impressive and probably represents one of the largest observation done on this drug at least in the Piemonte Region (Northwest Italy).

    The paper is written in a clear way and results are accessible to a wide audience.

    An issue that could be raised is that the impact of the observation could be improved by adding a list of parameters helpful to validate the results. For instance results could include an evaluation grid relying upon patients’ satisfaction. Indeed the opinions of patients taking the drug maybe a watershed for now and the future for a panel of "difficult" drugs like clozapine.

    However, it is reasonable to expect that the by Pianatato and Sartore is followed by a report describing the results as evaluated by the patient point of views.

    Caterina Corbascio

    Consultant Psychiatrist

    Asti City Hospital

    Italy

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am an MD and a psychiatrist with a 30 year experience and with the clinical responsability for mental health of an area of 200,000 inhabitants.

     

  • How to cite:  Corbascio C .Clozapine: does it work? Analysis of a 15 year experience[Review of the article 'Clozapine: Does it work? Analysis of a 15 year experience ' by Sartore F].WebmedCentral 2011;2(10):WMCRW001081
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