Table 2.
The Contingent Variables
| Variable | Match level | Mismatch level | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global improvement | CGI progress = 6, much worse over the past 6 months | CGI progress = 3, minimally improved over the past 6 months | 3 is at the YPSA threshold for an insufficient response; 6 is below the threshold |
| Patient’s condition | CGI severity = 6, severe illness at present | CGI severity = 4, moderate illness at present | 4 is at the YPSA threshold for an insufficient response; 6 is below the threshold |
| Guideline step | Step 2, failed one course of antipsychotic treatment | Step 4, failed three courses of antipsychotic treatment: 3 medications in 2 different classes | Step 4 indicates poor long-term response and treatment resistance; clinical studies recommend clozapine (a jump to step 5, outside the guideline) |
| Patient adherence | High: Almost always takes medications as prescribed (more than 75% of the time) | Low: Almost never takes medications as prescribed (less than 25% of the time) | Low adherence discourages switches, owing to increased risks and greater likelihood of non-response |