Oxcarbazepine vs. valproate in the treatment of mood and schizoaffective disorders.

To compare the efficacy of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and valproate (VPA) in the treatment of mood and schizoaffective disorders, we retrospectively analysed data regarding 27 in-patients with mood or schizoaffective diagnosis treated with OXC (and other psychoactive drugs except VPA) and 27 matched in-patients treated with VPA (and other psychoactive drugs except OXC), in a psychiatric intensive care unit of a general hospital. In the evaluation of the outcome, we considered the length of hospitalization, the changes in the scores of BPRS, SAPS, SANS, MMSE, CGI, GAF, UPDRS, BAS, and Morrison's scale. The assessment of global psychopathology and functioning, of positive and mood symptoms suggested similar efficacy of OXC and VPA. Unexpectedly, OXC appeared more efficacious in the treatment of negative symptoms.