Decreased Incidence of Readmissions in First Episode Psychosis in Treatment with Long - Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Title:Decreased Incidence of Readmissions in First Episode Psychosis in Treatment with Long - Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Volume: 4

Author(s): Alba T. Privat, Daniel B. Baquero, Anna M. Santacana and Victor P. Sola

Affiliation:

Keywords: First episode psychosis, long acting injectable antipsychotic, non - adherence, oral antipsychotic, relapse, schizophrenia.

Abstract: Introduction: Some studies have shown that more than 40% of patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) are non - adherent and treatment with long - acting antipsychotics (LAIs) may increase their compliance. However, studies on efficacy of LAIs versus oral antipsychotics for preventing relapse among schizophrenia patients have produced conflicting results.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to assess in naturalistic settings if patients with FEP treated with LAIs have a decreased incidence of readmission compared with patients in treatment with oral antipsychotics over 6 months follow - up.

Methods: 188 FEP patients had been consecutively admitted to Hospital del Mar since January 2008 to September 2014. Psychometric assessment included: sociodemographic data, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), diagnosis, substance use and clinical data at baseline. At 6 - months follow - up, antipsychotic treatment and number of admissions and emergencies over 6 months were also recorded. We investigated whether group treatments differ in readmission rates, attendance rates at emergencies services emergencies.

Results: We found a significant decreased incidence of readmission (p=0,000) and a lower number of emergencies (p=0,017) in the group of FEP patients treated with LAIs versus the group treated with oral antipsychotics.

Conclusion: In this naturalistic study, treatment with LAIs is associated with a reduced readmission rate and a lower number of emergencies in patients with FEP. These findings are in agreement with the results of other studies showing a significant reduced relapse rate and lowest risk of re - hospitalization in FEP patients treated with LAIs.

Cite this article as:

T. Privat Alba, B. Baquero Daniel, M. Santacana Anna and P. Sola Victor, Decreased Incidence of Readmissions in First Episode Psychosis in Treatment with Long - Acting Injectable Antipsychotics, Current Psychopharmacology 2015; 4 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2211556004666150918194108