Adjunctive raloxifene for postmenopausal women with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has been used in treating postmenopausal women with schizophrenia with inconsistent results. This meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) examined its efficacy and safety for postmenopausal women with schizophrenia.


METHOD
Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) together with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random effects model.


RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 5 RCTs (n = 240) comparing raloxifene (n = 125, 60 or 120 mg/day) with placebo (n = 115). Adjunctive raloxifene outperformed placebo with regard to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total psychopathology [n = 240, SMD:-0.64 (95%CI:-0.90, -0.37), P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%], positive symptoms [n = 240, SMD:-0.49 (95%CI:-0.81, -0.16), P = 0.003; I2 = 29%], negative symptoms [n = 240, SMD:-0.43 (95%CI:-0.68, -0.17), P = 0.001; I2 = 0%], and general psychopathology scores [n = 240, SMD:-0.66 (95%CI:-0.92, -0.39), P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%]. Both groups had similar rates of adverse events and discontinuation (n = 159, RR: 1.32 (95%CI: 0.65, 2.70), P = 0.44, I2 = 0%).


CONCLUSION
Adjunctive raloxifene appears to be effective and safe in improving psychotic symptoms for postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. Review registration: CRD 42017059946.
['Zhu|Xiao-Min|XM|', 'Zheng|Wei|W|', 'Li|Xiao-Hong|XH|', 'Cai|Dong-Bin|DB|', 'Yang|Xin-Hu|XH|', 'Ungvari|Gabor S|GS|', 'Ng|Chee H|CH|', 'Wang|Xiao-Ping|XP|', 'Kulkarni|Jayashri|J|', 'Grigg|Jasmin|J|', 'Ning|Yu-Ping|YP|', 'Xiang|Yu-Tao|YT|']
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008875:Middle Aged D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care D017698:Postmenopause D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic D012559:Schizophrenia D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Raloxifene Postmenopause Women Schizophrenia Meta-analysis