Paliperidone Palmitate Improves and Maintains Functioning in Asia-Pacific Patients with Schizophrenia

Characteristics of patients with schizophrenia switching from oral antipsychotics to once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M): a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The utilization of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) in schizophrenia treatment has increased due to its enhanced adherence and convenience. However, there is limited evidence on patient characteristics that may influence treatment outcomes when switching from oral antipsychotics (OAPs) to PP1M therapy. This systematic review aims to identify such patient characteristics and explore potential beneficial factors to aid healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to July 19, 2022. Studies related to patients with schizophrenia who had been previously treated with OAPs and switched to PP1M were identified and included. Outcomes included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, the clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) score, the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) total score, and hospitalisation rate. Data were independently extracted and analysed. The results were presented through a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Eleven studies with a total of 4150 patients were included, identifying nine potential characteristics. The most commonly reported characteristics was patient's prior treatment with OAPs, followed by the stage of disease, duration of illness (DI), ethnicity, reason for switching to PP1M, history of hospitalisation, time of start injection of PP1M, the PANSS and PSP total score at baseline. Patients in the acute stage, with a shorter DI, a less than 1-week time interval to PP1M injection, and a lower PANSS total score at baseline may have a trend on providing better improvements on PANSS total score. Acute stage and shorter DI also showed potential trends in reducing CGI-S score. Early initiation of PP1M, switching for reasons other than lack of efficacy, and a higher PSP score at baseline exhibited potential trends towards better PSP total score improvements.

CONCLUSION

Our findings may suggest that patients in acute stage, with a shorter duration of illness, with early initiation of PP1M injection, and lower PANSS or PSP scores may trend towards better clinical results when transitioning to PP1M from OAPs. Further research is necessary to validate these potential associations and identify any unexplored characteristics. Such investigations are crucial for providing comprehensive clinical recommendations and informing treatment strategies in this context.

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Treatment for Schizophrenia in Asian Population: A Scoping Review

Evidence of comparative benefits of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in Asian patients with schizophrenia has been inconsistent. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the current evidence in the past ten years and provide an overview of efficacy, safety, treatment adherence, patient attitudes, and healthcare resource utilization of LAI in this population. A systematic search was conducted with a pre-defined search strategy in six electronic databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycArticles. A total of 46 studies were included, including 15 cohort studies, 13 single-arm trials, 10 randomized controlled trials, four mirror-image studies, three cross-sectional studies, and one controlled clinical trial. Paliperidone palmitate once-monthly injection (27/46) and risperidone LAI (14/46) were the most frequently investigated LAIs. Compared with oral antipsychotic medications (OAMs), LAIs demonstrated a lower rate of relapse/hospitalization and comparable improvement in efficacy. Adverse events (AEs) were similar between LAIs and OAMs, although types and incidence varied. Significant reduction in the length of hospitalization and number of outpatient visits/inpatient admission was observed after initiation of LAIs. These findings suggest that LAI demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety among Asian populations with schizophrenia in comparison to OAMs. Better adherence and lower relapse were observed in patients receiving LAIs from published evidence. Future research is warranted to better understand the comprehensive performance of LAI in specific population or context.

Effectiveness and Safety of Switching from Oral Antipsychotics to Once-Monthly Paliperidone Palmitate (PP1M) in the Management of Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Considering the improvement in adherence and convenience, once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) has been increasingly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the outcomes for patients who switch from oral antipsychotics (OAPs) to PP1M have not been reliably assessed. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of PP1M in the management of patients with schizophrenia with a prior history of OAP use.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library on 19 July 2022 to identify eligible studies. All studies that examined the effectiveness and safety of switching from OAPs to PP1M in patients with schizophrenia were included. The primary outcomes were relapse rate, hospitalisation rate, and the change from baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. The secondary outcomes included the changed number of inpatient visits, changed length of stay hospitalisation, change from baseline in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score and the personal and social performance (PSP) total score, response rate, proportion of treatment discontinuation, and adverse events. We included randomised-controlled trials (RCTs), single-arm studies, and observational studies. Case reports, case series, and reviews were excluded. The quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB2), the 9-point Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) instrument for non-randomised studies and cohort studies, and the 12-item National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for before-after (Pre-Post) study without control group. Follow-up times were reported as short- (≤ 13 weeks), medium- (14-26 weeks), and long term (≥ 27 weeks). Data were pooled using meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies with a total of 4740 patients were included. The long-term relapse rates and hospitalisation rates were 12% (95% CI 0.07-0.18) and 18% (95% CI 0.15-0.20), respectively. The short-, medium-, and long-term change in PANSS total score was - 21.69 (95% CI - 30.02 to -13.36), - 14.98 (95% CI - 21.45 to - 8.51) and - 17.88 (95% CI - 31.94 to -3.82), respectively. Approximately 50% of patients reported at least a 30% reduction in the PANSS score at the short-term follow-up. Improvements in CGI-S and PSP score were observed during various periods. There was a reduction in the length of stay hospitalisation and the number of inpatient visits at the medium- and long-term follow-ups. Low discontinuation and adverse event rates were reported.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, this study may support the efficacy and safety of switching from OAPs to PP1M for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Future large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Impact of early use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics on functional outcome in first episode psychosis: a 3-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

To describe, in a naturalistic setting, the impact of the early use of LAI-AP on functional outcomes of early psychosis patients as compared to oral antipsychotics (OAP).

METHODS

Longitudinal prospective 3-year naturalistic study of all consecutive admissions (n = 416) to two Early intervention services (EIS) for psychosis comparing baseline characteristics and the evolution of global functioning, occupation (work and studies), and living arrangements autonomy according to the route of administration of the antipsychotic medication. The cohort was divided into four groups: LAI-AP first (started on LAI-AP and later received OAP), OAP first, LAI-AP only, and OAP only.

RESULTS

Global assessment of functioning (GAF) improved in all groups, but our mixed-effect model did not show any significant association between the route of administration and the GAF outcome. The LAI-AP only group was significantly less likely to have extreme residential instability at 3 years than the other groups despite its highest proportion of homeless youth and their poor prognostic factors at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our naturalistic study suggests a significant protective effect of LAI-AP on extreme residential instability for the most vulnerable patients, but no impact of the first AP administration route on other functional outcomes was observed at 3 years of follow-up. Key pointsLong-acting injectable antipsychotics seem promising to avoid extreme residential instability in early psychosis.Global assessment of functioning (GAF) improved in all groups.There was no significant association between the first route of administration and global functionning.

Impact on functionality of the paliperidone palmitate three-month formulation in patients with a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia: a real-world observational prospective study

BACKGROUND

Information on the effect of the paliperidone palmitate three-month (PP3M) formulation on functionality in patients in the early stages of psychosis is lacking. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PP3M on functionality in patients recently diagnosed with schizophrenia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was an observational, multicenter, and prospective study in patients with a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia undergoing treatment with PP3M. Evaluations included the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale, the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-Sch), the Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 101/110 evaluable patients (91.8%) completed the study and were included in the efficacy analyses. The total PSP score increased from a mean of 68.5 (15.3) at baseline to a mean of 72.1 (15.4) at month 6 and 74.8 (16.7) at month 12 with a before-and-after difference of 3.6 (95% CI, 1.6 to 5.5, p < 0.001) at month 6 and 6.2 (95% CI, 4.2 to 8.3, p < 0.001) at month 12. CGI-Sch severity significantly decreased from a mean score of 2.8 (1.1) at baseline to a score of 2.2 (1.1) at month 12 with a before-and-after difference of -0.6 (95% CI, 0.8 to -0.4, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early introduction of PP3M in the course of schizophrenia is associated with a meaningful benefit in social functioning and at least maintains clinical stability.

Aripiprazole lauroxil 2-month formulation with 1-day initiation in patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: exploratory efficacy and patient-reported outcomes in the randomized controlled ALPINE study

BACKGROUND

A randomized, controlled, phase 3b study (ALPINE) evaluated efficacy and safety of a 2-month formulation of aripiprazole lauroxil (AL) using a 1-day initiation regimen in patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Paliperidone palmitate (PP) was used as an active control. Exploratory endpoint assessments included severity of illness, positive and negative symptoms, quality of life, caregiver burden, and satisfaction with medication.

METHODS

Adults were randomly assigned to AL 1064 mg q8wk or PP 156 mg q4wk as inpatients, discharged after 2 weeks, and followed through week 25. Exploratory efficacy measures included the 3 original PANSS subscales, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) subscale, and caregiver Burden Assessment Scale. Exploratory patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) and the Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire. Within-group changes from baseline through week 25 were analyzed for AL and PP separately. PROs were summarized based on observed data.

RESULTS

Of 200 patients randomized (AL, n = 99; PP, n = 101), 99 completed the study (AL, n = 56; PP, n = 43). For AL, PANSS subscale and CGI-S scores improved from baseline through week 25 (mean [SE] change from baseline at week 25: Positive, -7.5 [0.70]; Negative, -3.9 [0.46]; General, -11.8 [0.83]; CGI-S, -1.3 [0.12]). Caregiver burden also improved (mean [SD] changes from baseline at week 9: -8.4 [10.15]; week 25: -8.9 [12.36]). Most AL patients were somewhat/very satisfied with treatment at each timepoint (70.8%-74.7%); mean Q-LES-Q-SF total scores were stable in the outpatient period. For PP, results were similar: PANSS Positive, -7.3 (0.67); Negative, -3.6 (0.69); General, -10.9 (1.22); CGI-S, -1.4 (0.16); caregiver burden, week 9: -8.8 (11.89) and week 25: -9.2 (14.55); satisfaction with treatment, 64.7%-69.3%; and stable Q-LES-Q-SF scores.

CONCLUSIONS

ALPINE patients initiating the 2-month AL formulation using the 1-day initiation regimen as inpatients and continuing outpatient care experienced schizophrenia symptom improvement, sustained patient satisfaction with medication, stable quality of life, and reduced caregiver burden. A similar benefit pattern was observed for PP. These results support the feasibility of starting either long-acting injectable in the hospital and transitioning to outpatient treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03345979 [trial registration date: 15/11/2017].

The Effects of Paliperidone Palmitate 1 Month on the Employment Status and Social Functioning of Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effects of a one-month paliperidone palmitate formulation (PP1M) on employment status, social function, symptomatology, and safety and conducted a two-year postmarketing surveillance study of Paliperidone Palmitate 1 Month (PP1M). Methods: Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia participated in the study. Employment status was recorded at baseline and changes were measured at one and two years. Social functioning and symptomatology were assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH). Data on adverse events were also collected. Results: A total of 1,319 patients were enrolled in this investigation, including 1,306 who were evaluable for safety and 1,279 who were evaluable for efficacy. The maintenance rate during the observation period was 49.4 percent. During the observation period, the percentages of patients reporting employment significantly increased: 24.3 percent of patients were employed in some capacity at baseline, 32.5 percent of patients were employed at one year, and 34.6 percent of patients were employed at two years. Significant improvements were observed in both SOFAS and CGI-SCH scores during the observation period. The percentage of patients with socially functional remission also significantly increased. A strong association between the improvement of social function, gender, and monotherapy versus polypharmacy and the improvement of employment status was observed. A total of 29.3 percent of patients experienced at least one adverse event. There were no unexpected findings from long-term treatment and a safety profile, including mortality. Conclusion: PP1M treatment appears to improve not only schizophrenic symptoms but also functional outcomes.

A post hoc analysis on hospitalization risk in Asian patients with schizophrenia switching to once-monthly paliperidone palmitate from oral antipsychotics

Background: In this post hoc analysis in patients recently diagnosed (≤5 years) with schizophrenia, the effect on hospitalization risk after switching from oral antipsychotic to once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) was evaluated. Research design and methods: Change in hospitalization risk following PP1M initiation among patients switching from oral antipsychotics was assessed using prescription sequence symmetry analysis. Hospitalization risk was expressed as an adjusted sequence ratio (ASR) of the number of patients hospitalized prior to PP1M initiation/post PP1M initiation. Cumulative distribution of the time to hospitalization was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and symmetry of distribution was assessed using log-rank test. Hazard ratio and 95% CI were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The number of patients hospitalized after switching to PP1M: no change, 203/300 (67.7%); increase, 18/300 (6.0%); and decrease, 79/300 (26.3%). Following PP1M initiation, ASR (95% CI) was 3.56 (2.67, 5.33) suggesting asymmetry and a significant decline in hospitalization risk. Asymmetry in distribution of hospitalization events with significant (p ≤ 0.001) delay in time to hospitalization was also observed. Conclusion: Switching to PP1M treatment from oral antipsychotics is likely to be associated with a significant reduction in hospitalization risk along with a delay in time to hospitalization and rehospitalization.