Nine RCTs were included in meta-analyses (n=3,046 patients). The duration of follow-up ranged from three to eight weeks.
Compared with placebo, aripiprazole was associated with a significant increase of response rate in depressive patients (rate difference 7.7%, 95% CI 1.5 to 14. 2; four RCTs) and manic patients (rate difference 15.7%, 95% CI 9.7 to 21.8; five RCTs). No evidence of significant heterogeneity was observed for these outcomes.
There was no significant improvement of remission rate in depressive patients between the aripiprazole and placebo group. Significant heterogeneity (p=0.08) was observed in this outcome. No pooled evidence was available for the outcome of remission rate in manic patients.
Akathisia was more frequent in both depressive and manic patients receiving aripiprazole, whilst nausea was more frequent in manic patients. Insomnia and restlessness were also more frequent in depressive patients receiving aripiprazole.