Enhancement of overall functioning is one of most important goals in treatment of schizophrenia (SCH) patients.

To assess efficacy of aripiprazole in treatment of disability and impairment in social, professional and family life in SCH patients.

This study included 50 patients with SCH diagnosed by ICD-10 criteria, divided into H (Haloperidol, 5–20 mg/24 h) group (25 patients), and A (Aripiprazole, 10–30 mg/24 h) group (25 patients). Antipsychotics were tested for 12 months with Positive and Negative Symptom Schedule Scale (PANSS), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the number of withdrawals attributed to adverse event (AE).

The mean pretrial PANSS score was 103.6 in A and 105.3 in H group. The mean PANSS score after 12 months was 53.5 in A and 54.4 in H group. There were no significant statistical difference in PANSS pretrial scores and scores after 12 months between groups, P = 0.619; P = 0.364. There were significant statistical difference in PANSS score reduction after 12 months in both groups (P < 0.001). Aripiprazole improved all SDS scores in comparison to Haloperidol with high statistical significance. Work: A vs. H, P < 0.001; social life: A vs. H, P < 0.001; family life: A vs. H, P < 0.001; days lost: A vs. H, P = 0.012; days unproductive: A vs. H, P = 0.007; 8.0% AEs occurred in A, and 36.0% in H group.

Aripiprazole showed same efficacy as haloperidol in treatment of SCH. Aripiprazole showed significantly better efficacy in treatment of disability and impairment. Number of withdrawals was significantly higher in haloperidol group.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.