World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for biological treatment of schizophrenia, part 2: long-term treatment of schizophrenia

Trends and off-label utilization of antipsychotics in children and adolescents from 2016 to 2021 in China: a real-world study

BACKGROUND

Global antipsychotic usage, including off-label prescriptions, has increased in recent decades. However, trends in China, particularly for children and adolescents, remain unclear. This study explored these trends from 2016 to 2021 and identified factors associated with off-label prescriptions.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed on-label and off-label prescriptions based on drug information approved by the China National Medical Products Administration. To identify factors associated with off-label prescriptions, we conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Our study included 48,258 antipsychotic prescriptions, 52.4% (25,295) of which were prescriptions for males. Of these, 61.7% (29,813) were off-label. Over time, the number of antipsychotics and the percentage of off-label prescriptions for children and adolescents overall increased from 2016 to 2021. The use of atypical antipsychotics increased, whereas that of typical antipsychotics decreased. For off-label usage, all of the factors in our study were associated with off-label usage, including age, sex, year, region, department, reimbursement, antipsychotic type, drug expense, number of polypharmacy and diagnoses. Additionally, tiapride (15.8%) and aripiprazole (18.6%) were the most common typical and atypical antipsychotics, respectively. For pediatric diseases, common diagnoses included mood or affective disorders (31.7%) and behavioral and emotional disorders, with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence (29.1%). Furthermore, a depressive state was the most common diagnosis for which antipsychotic polypharmacy was used for treatment.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study, off-label antipsychotic prescriptions were common, with trends generally increasing among children and adolescents from 2016 to 2021. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting off-label usage, thus emphasizing the need for studies on the efficacy and safety of these treatments.

A Novel Gliotransmitter, L-β-Aminoisobutyric Acid, Contributes to Pathophysiology of Clinical Efficacies and Adverse Reactions of Clozapine

Clozapine is listed as one of the most effective antipsychotics and has been approved for treating treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS); however, several type A and B adverse reactions, including weight gain, metabolic complications, cardiotoxicity, convulsions, and discontinuation syndromes, exist. The critical mechanisms of clinical efficacy for schizophrenia, TRS, and adverse reactions of clozapine have not been elucidated. Recently, the GABA isomer L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA), a protective myokine in the peripheral organs, was identified as a candidate novel transmission modulator in the central nervous system (CNS). L-BAIBA activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling in both the peripheral organs and CNS. Activated AMPK signalling in peripheral organs is an established major target for treating insulin-resistant diabetes, whereas activated AMPK signalling in the hypothalamus contributes to the pathophysiology of weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Clozapine increases L-BAIBA synthesis in the hypothalamus. In addition, the various functions of L-BAIBA in the CNS have recently been elucidated, including as an activator of GABA-B and group-III metabotropic glutamate (III-mGlu) receptors. Considering the expressions of GABA-B and III-mGlu receptors (localised in the presynaptic regions), the activation of GABA-B and III-mGlu receptors can explain the distinct therapeutic advantages of clozapine in schizophrenia or TRS associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor disturbance compared with other atypical antipsychotics via the inhibition of the persistent tonic hyperactivation of thalamocortical glutamatergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex. L-BAIBA has also been identified as a gliotransmitter, and a detailed exploration of the function of L-BAIBA in tripartite synaptic transmission can further elucidate the pathophysiology of effectiveness for treating TRS and/or specific adverse reactions of clozapine.

Antipsychotic drug dose in real-life settings results from a Nationwide Cohort Study

Despite national and international recommendations and while there is no evidence for increased efficacy of higher doses, several studies suggested that the prescribed doses in routine practice are higher than the maximal recommended doses in 20-40% of schizophrenia patients worldwide.

METHODS

the aims of the present study were: (1) to describe the patterns of antipsychotic daily dose prescriptions in routine clinical practice in a large and representative cohort of French schizophrenia patients and, (2) to study the characteristics of patients receiving higher doses.

RESULTS

in all cases, regardless of the antipsychotic treatment used, the average dose was greater than 1.0 defined daily dose (DDDeq), which is the average recommended dose. For SGA, the mean DDDeq ranged from 1.2 for aripiprazole to 1.6 for olanzapine and clozapine, respectively. For a given patient, the mean ± S.D. total daily cumulative dose (TCD) of antipsychotic was 1.9 ± 2.4 DDDeq. A "high dose" was defined as a TCD  ≥ 1.5 DDDeq, 789 (45.2%) patients received a "high dose". Patients in the "high dose" group were more frequently suffering from a more severe paranoid schizophrenia, had more often a comorbid antisocial personality disorder and/or a substance use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

the present study suggests that in France, antipsychotic drugs doses prescribed by psychiatrists are higher, compared to other countries. All recommendations agree on the fact that the preferential dose should be the "minimum-effective" dose. Optimizing prescribing practices would be important to optimize the benefit/risk ratio and to minimize the risks side effects.

Pharmacotherapy of Schizophrenia in Acute and Maintenance Phase

Schizophrenia is one of the leading disorders causing impairment in society. Therefore, it is crucial to review evidence-based treatment approaches which are both effective and causing minimum side effects. In this paper, treatment recommendations for first episode schizophrenia, patients in acute phase with a history of multiple episodes, and patients in the maintenance phase will be discussed in light of the Psychiatric Association of Turkey Guideline for Treatment of Schizophrenia, other recent national and international guidelines as well as expert consensus reports in the literature. Finally, practical considerations will be suggested.

The effects of adding long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs to clozapine on relapse and hospitalization in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a mirror-image retrospective study

The literature assessing the addition of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) to clozapine is limited. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of adding LAIs to clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Patients aged 18-65 years with TRS, who were treated with first-generation (FGA-LAIs) and second-generation (SGA-LAIs) for at least 1 year after clozapine use, were included retrospectively by registration system scanning. Effectiveness measures included relapses and hospitalizations and days of hospitalization. Safety outcomes included levels of neutrophils, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and prolactin. The data of 29 patients who met the study criteria were evaluated. The numbers and days of hospitalizations and the numbers of relapses significantly decreased after LAI addition. Comparisons of the neutrophil counts and the total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, prolactin, and fasting blood glucose levels as safety indicators of the clozapine and LAI combination revealed no statistically significant change in these values before and after LAI addition. Adding LAIs to clozapine is apparently well tolerated in patients with TRS and may have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

Effectiveness of 2-year treatment with aripiprazole long-acting injectable and comparison with paliperidone palmitate

BACKGROUND

The pragmatic management of psychotic disorders is more complex than that delivered in a controlled trial environment. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of aripiprazole long-acting injectable (ALAI) and compare it with another commonly used long-acting anti-psychotic, once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M).

METHODS

This naturalistic, independent 4-year mirror image study compared the mean number and length of hospital admissions 2 years before and 2 years after treatment initiation with ALAI. Retention rates, discontinuation reasons and level of adherence were also recorded. Furthermore, indirect comparisons were made between treatment outcomes on ALAI and PP1M.

RESULTS

A total of 109 eligible patients with a severe mental illness (65% with schizophrenia and 35% with other diagnosis) commenced on ALAI and 173 patients (69% with schizophrenia and 31% with other diagnoses) initiated on PP1M were included. Of these, 37% on ALAI and 34% on PP1M stopped treatment at 2 years; retention rates were most favourable for the schizophrenia group on PP1M. Patients were more likely to discontinue due to lack of effectiveness on ALAI and due to tolerability issues on PP1M. Those who continued for 2 years on ALAI (n = 69), demonstrated an overall decrease of 84% in the mean number and 88% in the mean length of hospital admissions compared with the 2 years before initiation. Although patients on ALAI appeared to have a significantly higher bed occupancy the 2-year period before initiation than patients on PP1M, the reductions in hospitalizations were comparable across both cohorts after 2 years of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of ALAI had a substantial impact on long-term clinical outcomes in this naturalistic cohort; more than half of patients continued treatment and had no admission during 2 years of follow up. There were no significant differences in hospitalisation rates between patients on ALAI and PP1M at 2 years.

Rate and predictors of interrupted patient follow-up after first-episode psychosis - a retrospective cohort study in France

BACKGROUND

Patient adherence to follow-up after a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is currently a major challenge. Patient's early adherence reduces the risk of relapse and improves their prognosis in the short and long term. The primary goal of our study was to determine the incidence of treatment disengagement at 1-year follow-up in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder. The secondary goal was to assess the factors associated with treatment disengagement in this patient population.

METHODS

We conducted a monocentric retrospective study of 136 patients in France. Relevant information was collected on sociodemographic, pre-morbidities and co-morbidities data, as well as the management and treatment characteristics at 1.3 and 12 months. Survival analysis was used to assess the association between clinical variables, management and treatment disengagement.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients (62%) have interrupted their medical follow-up at 1 year, 16% at 1 month and 34% at 3 months. A higher number of out-patient appointments after a FEP was associated with better adherence (HR:0.85 p < .0001 95% IC = [0.0-0.9]). Initial management seems to play an important role. Involuntary admissions (HR:7.14 p = .015 95% IC = [1.48-34.52]) and total number of admissions (HR:6.86 p < .0001 95% IC = [2.47-19.05]) predict disengagement at 1 month while an increased number of out-patient appointments at 3 months predicts adherence (HR:0.60 p < .0001 95% IC = [0.00-0.74]). Being a single parent is associated with disengagement at 3 months (HR:15.51 p = .022 95% IC = [1.49-161.65]).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of disengagement is high. It might be necessary to change our management in order to develop out-patient or day-admission care and intensify care for patients at risk.

Perspective on medication decisions following remission from first-episode psychosis

While antipsychotics (APs) could provide rapid relief of positive symptoms in psychotic disorders, their usage is often associated with side effects, stigma and inconveniences. For these and other reasons, many psychosis patients, particularly those of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in remission, wish to discontinue maintenance treatment. The current review aims to discuss the strategies of AP treatment following remission from FEP, with particular emphasis on the evaluation of outcomes following AP discontinuation. Upon review of relevant literature, three potential strategies are put forth for treatment-responsive, remitted FEP patients: a) life-long maintenance treatment, b) AP discontinuation during second year of treatment, or c) AP discontinuation after three years of treatment. In theory, the first strategy presents the safest option for maximal symptom control. However, a rigorous RCT indicates that if AP discontinuation is to be attempted, the third strategy best prevents poor long-term clinical outcomes. Further data is needed to address the costs and benefits of each treatment strategy, compare AP-free patients with those on different types of APs, as well as explore even longer-term outcomes.

Predictors of Treatment-Resistant and Clozapine-Resistant Schizophrenia: A 12-Year Follow-up Study of First-Episode Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

Studies on the long-term development and early predictors of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and clozapine-resistant TRS (CR-TRS) in patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (FES) are limited and have not considered the impact of early intervention services (EIS). This study aimed to explore the development of TRS and CR-TRS among patients with FES over 12 years of follow-up. Of the 1234 patients with FES, 15% developed TRS. A total of 450 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were included in a nested case-control study (157 TRS and 293 non-TRS). Younger age of onset, poorer premorbid social adjustment during adulthood, longer duration of first episode, a greater number of relapses, and a higher antipsychotic dose in the first 24 months were associated with earlier TRS. CR-TRS patients, constituting 25% of TRS patients, had a poorer premorbid social adjustment in late adolescence and longer delay before clozapine initiation compared with non-CR-TRS. CR-TRS had poorer clinical and functional outcomes at 12-year follow-up. However, TRS patients on clozapine had a lower mortality rate compared with non-TRS patients. EIS did not have a significant impact on the development of TRS, but patients in the EIS group had a shorter delay of clozapine initiation. Results suggested that neurodevelopmental factors, early clinical characteristics, and requirement for higher antipsychotic dose may be associated with TRS development, highlighting multiple pathways leading to this form of illness. Specific interventions including relapse prevention and early initiation of clozapine during the early course of illness may reduce the rate of TRS and improve patient outcomes.

A Working Hypothesis Regarding Identical Pathomechanisms between Clinical Efficacy and Adverse Reaction of Clozapine via the Activation of Connexin43

Clozapine (CLZ) is an approved antipsychotic agent for the medication of treatment-resistant schizophrenia but is also well known as one of the most toxic antipsychotics. Recently, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global database (VigiBase) reported the relative lethality of severe adverse reactions of CLZ. Agranulocytosis is the most famous adverse CLZ reaction but is of lesser lethality compared with the other adverse drug reactions of CLZ. Unexpectedly, VigiBase indicated that the prevalence and relative lethality of pneumonia, cardiotoxicity, and seizures associated with CLZ were more serious than that of agranulocytosis. Therefore, haematological monitoring in CLZ patients monitoring system provided success in the prevention of lethal adverse events from CLZ-induced agranulocytosis. Hereafter, psychiatrists must amend the CLZ patients monitoring system to protect patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia from severe adverse CLZ reactions, such as pneumonia, cardiotoxicity, and seizures, according to the clinical evidence and pathophysiology. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of clinical efficacy and the adverse reactions of CLZ based on the accumulating pharmacodynamic findings of CLZ, including tripartite synaptic transmission, and we propose suggestions for amending the monitoring and medication of adverse CLZ reactions associated with pneumonia, cardiotoxicity, and seizures.

Multiple antipsychotics use in patients with schizophrenia: Why do we use it, what are the results from patient follow-ups?

In this study, the rates of antipsychotic polypharmacy, factors affecting combined drug use, the relationship between antipsychotic polypharmacy as it relates to duration of hospitalization and re-hospitalization, and treatment compliance were evaluated in schizophrenia patients. The study data was obtained between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 by examining the files of all patients who were hospitalized in Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara Gulhane Training and Research Hospital psychiatric services. The inpatients' drug prescriptions at discharge and after one-year outpatient follow-up, as well as treatment compliance and re-hospitalization, were examined. The mean duration of illness was 109.3 ± 109.7 months, and the mean duration of hospitalization was 24.6 ± 19.1 days. For a total of 599 patients, multiple antipsychotic medication was used in 21.2% of hospitalizations. 11.2% of patients using single antipsychotic and 14.2% of patients using multiple antipsychotics were re-hospitalized within one year (X ² :0.830, p:0.362). Disease duration (Z:-3.654, p < 0.001) and duration of hospitalization (Z:-3.333, p < 0.001) were found to be longer in multiple antipsychotic users. 37.8% of the patients used a depot antipsychotic. There was no significant difference between depot antipsychotic use and oral antipsychotic use as it related re-hospitalization rates. As a conclusion, multiple antipsychotic use has reduced in Turkey. Contrary to popular belief, the use of multiple antipsychotics does not shorten, but rather may prolongs hospitalization, and it has no effect in reducing re-hospitalization. Drug combinations are generally used together with a depot treatment, clozapine treatment is preferred less frequently in combinations, clinicians have proven effectiveness of the drug combination they prefer, and they should give priority to the treatments recommended in treatment guidelines.

Country differences in patient characteristics and treatment in schizophrenia: data from a physician-based survey in Europe

Schizophrenia is a frequent psychiatric disorder whose prevalence appears to be relatively stable across different patient groups. However, attitudes to care and resources devoted to mental health care may differ between countries. The objective of this analysis was to compare sociodemographic and psychopathological features of patients, antipsychotic treatment and frequency of hospitalisation between four European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain) collected as part of a large survey of the characteristics of patients with schizophrenia. The survey was conducted by structured interview of 744 randomly-selected psychiatrists in four European countries who recruited 3996 patients. Information on 39 variables was collected. A number of between-country differences were observed which tended to distinguish Germany on the one hand, from the Mediterranean countries, and Greece in particular, on the other. While demographic features and clinical features were essentially similar, more patients in Germany were considered to have severe disease by their psychiatrist (59.0% versus 35.9% in Greece) and to be hospitalised (49.3% versus 15.0%). 46.7% of German patients were living alone compared to less than 20% in the Mediterranean countries and 50.2% were living with their family (versus over70% elsewhere). Smoking and addictive behaviours were more frequently reported for patients in Spain. With regard to empirically derived patient subgroups, Subgroup 2, corresponding to well-integrated and autonomous patients with mild to moderate disease severity was most highly represented in Greece (23.6% of patients compared to less than 10% elsewhere) elsewhere, Subgroup 6 (poorly-integrated patients with moderately severe disease who require caregiver support) was under-represented in Germany (4.5% versus over 17% elsewhere). Patterns of treatment were essentially similar, although quetiapine was more frequently prescribed and paliperidone less frequently prescribed in Germany than elsewhere. Reasons for treatment choice were comparable between countries, primarily related to good tolerability and control of positive symptoms. The differences observed may be attributed to differences in mental health care resource provision, socio-cultural or educational differences or to resource issues.

Second-generation antipsychotics and constipation: A review of the literature

Antipsychotics are the cornerstone in the management of psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. They are effective agents but also have a wide range of side effects. In the recent literature constipation as possible side effect has received little attention. A review of the literature concerning constipation associated with antipsychotics was performed. Overall constipation is a rarely studied or reported side effect of antipsychotic medication. Nevertheless constipation is a common side effect. Antipsychotic agents differ in their liability to induce constipation. Constipation can be severe and can lead to serious consequences such as paralytic ileus, bowel occlusion and death. Active screening, monitoring and treatment are recommended. Further research on incidence, prevalence, underlying mechanisms and preventive measures is required.

Demographic and clinical features as predictors of clozapine response in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Clozapine (CLZ) is prescribed to (relatively) treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Currently, it is unknown what factors predict response to CLZ. Therefore, we performed meta-analyses to identify predictors of CLZ response, hence aiming to facilitate timely and efficient prescribing of CLZ.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in 'Pubmed' and 'Embase' until 1 January 2019. Articles were eligible if they provided data on predictors of CLZ response measured demographic and clinical factors at baseline or biochemical factors at follow-up in schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients.

RESULTS

A total of 34 articles, total number of participants = 9386; N unique = 2094, were eligible. Factors significantly associated with better CLZ response were: lower age, lower PANSS negative score and paranoid schizophrenia subtype.

CONCLUSION

The results of our meta-analyses suggest that three baseline demographic and clinical features are associated with better clozapine response, i.e. relatively young age, few negative symptoms and paranoid schizophrenia subtype. These variables may be taken into account by clinicians who consider treating a specific patient with CLZ.

Long-term effects of paliperidone palmitate on hospital stay and treatment continuation

There is a growing need for real world data on long-term clinical and health resource utilization outcomes. The main purpose of this study was to establish the effects of 1-monthly Paliperidone Palmitate (PP1M) on treatment continuation and hospital stay in routine clinical practice. This is a naturalistic, 6-year mirror-image study examining retention and hospitalization rates 3 years pre-PP1M and 3 years post-PP1M initiation. One hundred seventy-three patients were included; 120 (70%) had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia and 53 (30%) other diagnosis. In total, 77% of patients continued PP1M for one year, 66% for two years and 55% for three years. For the patients who continued with PP1M for 3 years (n = 95), the mean number of hospital admissions decreased significantly from 1.44 to 0.53 and the mean number of bed days from 93 to 29 bed days 3 years before and 3 years after PP1M initiation (P < 0.001). The group of patients with schizophrenia who continued for 3 years (n = 79) demonstrated similar outcomes. The introduction of PP1M had a significant impact on long-term clinical outcomes. More than half of patients were still continuing on PP1M at 3 years after initiation and had no admission during 3 years follow-up.

A systematic review of clinical guidelines on choice, dose, and duration of antipsychotics treatment in first- and multi-episode schizophrenia

Clinical guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations to regulate pharmacological treatment of psychotic disorders. However, the quality of evidence, country of origin, and publication dates of such guidelines vary, which leads to discrepancies between recommendations. This systematic review aimed to examine consensus and disparities between clinical recommendations on the choice, dose, and duration of antipsychotic treatment for first- and multi-episode schizophrenia patients. A literature search through The Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and relevant bibliographies revealed 24 guidelines that met the inclusion criteria. The guidelines indicated mostly consistent recommendations regarding the optimal dose range of antipsychotics, while guidance with regards to the choice and duration of treatment remains somewhat controversial. Current trends in guidelines emphasize that there is simply no 'one-size-fits-all' method to manage schizophrenia patients. Further research is needed not only to address discrepancies between guidelines, but also to justify the gap between theory and practice.

Clinical stability, diagnosis and catchment area: the patients of a university-based psychiatric outpatient clinic

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to characterize the patients assisted at the general outpatient clinic of the Psychiatry Institute of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB-UFRJ) and to assess these patients’ clinical stability. Methods This cross-sectional study collected information using a structured questionnaire filled in by the patient’s physician. The questionnaire, specifically developed for this purpose, included sociodemographic data; the dwelling area; psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10; clinical stability assessment by means of five psychiatric instability criteria and the physician’s global clinical impression over the six previous months. Clinical stability was defined as a negative answer to all five pre-defined instability criteria. Results Overall, 1,447 questionnaires were filled in. The sample was composed of 824 (57%) women; with an average age of 49 years; 1,104 (76.3%) patients lived in the city of Rio de Janeiro and 343 (23.7%) lived outside the city; 983 (67.9%) patients had a severe mental disorder (SMD) diagnosis and 946 (65.3%) patients were considered stable. Statistically, the clinical stability by dwelling area did not differ. The most frequent clinical instability criterion was “exacerbation or emergence of acute manifestations of the disease”. Conclusion The major part of the patients displayed a SMD and was considered clinically stable.

DNA Methylation as a Biomarker of Treatment Response Variability in Serious Mental Illnesses: A Systematic Review Focused on Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Major Depressive Disorder

So far, genetic studies of treatment response in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression have returned results with limited clinical utility. A gene × environment interplay has been proposed as a factor influencing not only pathophysiology but also the treatment response. Therefore, epigenetics has emerged as a major field of research to study the treatment of these three disorders. Among the epigenetic marks that can modify gene expression, DNA methylation is the best studied. We performed a systematic search (PubMed) following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA guidelines for preclinical and clinical studies focused on genome-wide and gene-specific DNA methylation in the context of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and major depressive disorder. Out of the 112 studies initially identified, we selected 31 studies among them, with an emphasis on responses to the gold standard treatments in each disorder. Modulations of DNA methylation levels at specific CpG sites have been documented for all classes of treatments (antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants). The heterogeneity of the models and methodologies used complicate the interpretation of results. Although few studies in each disorder have assessed the potential of DNA methylation as biomarkers of treatment response, data support this hypothesis for antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants.

Long-term effectiveness of aripiprazole once-monthly for schizophrenia is maintained in the QUALIFY extension study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness of continued treatment with aripiprazole once-monthly 400mg (AOM 400) in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Patients who completed the QUALIFY study (NCT01795547) in the AOM 400 arm were eligible for 6 additional once-monthly injections of AOM 400 during an open-label, 24-week extension (NCT01959035). Safety data were collected at each visit. Effectiveness measures included change from baseline in health-related qualify of life and functioning on the Heinrichs-Carpenter Quality of Life scale (QLS) and Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) scale.

RESULTS

Of the 88 patients enrolled, 77 (88%) completed the extension study. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events (incidence ≥2%) were weight increased (6/88, 7%), toothache (3/88, 3%) and headache (3/88, 3%). Effectiveness was maintained during the extension study, with small but continued improvements from baseline: the least squares mean (LSM) change (95% CI) from baseline to week 24 was 2.32 (-1.21 to 5.85) for the QLS total score and -0.10 (-0.26 to 0.06) for the CGI-S score. The aggregated LSM change (95% CI) from baseline of the lead-in study to week 24 of the extension study was 11.54 (7.45 to 15.64) for the QLS total score and -0.98 (-1.18 to -0.79) for the CGI-S score.

CONCLUSIONS

AOM 400 was well tolerated in patients continuing AOM treatment during the extension phase of the QUALIFY study. Robust and clinically meaningful improvements in health-related quality of life and functioning were maintained, further supporting the long-term clinical benefits of AOM 400 for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic dose in maintenance treatment of schizophrenia: A retrospective study

The dose of antipsychotic required for acute phase treatment of schizophrenia is well established, but there is no consensus on dose required for maintenance phase. Current guidelines do not provide definitive recommendations on the dose of antipsychotics needed in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, possibly due to limited research. In this retrospective study, minimum antipsychotic dose prescribed in maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in a real life situation was examined. Schizophrenia patients having Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)≤3 for at-least six months during the maintenance phase treatment were included (n=163). The medical records of these patients were reviewed and the antipsychotic dose prescribed for acute and maintenance phase treatment was recorded. The mean antipsychotic dose used during maintenance treatment was approximately 30% lower than the dose used during acute phase. Importantly, about 40% of the subjects maintained well with a dose lesser than the recommended therapeutic range. Earlier age at onset and longer duration of illness were associated with higher antipsychotic dose requirement during the maintenance phase treatment. These findings could have important clinical implications if replicated in systematic prospective studies.

The SWITCH study: rationale and design of the trial

Many patients do not respond to the first antipsychotic drug prescribed, but require multiple trials with different drugs before response is achieved. Current treatment guidelines vary substantially in their recommendations as to how long clinicians should wait before an antipsychotic treatment attempt should be considered as failed and the compound switched. It has, however, recently been shown that poor early response to an antipsychotic is associated with continuous poor later response in the course of the same treatment attempt. This finding suggests that patients who do experience poor early response might benefit from a switch in antipsychotic medication as early as 2 weeks after treatment initiation. In the SWITCH trial, 350 patients suffering from an acute episode of schizophrenia are randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with either olanzapine or amisulpride. The primary endpoint is symptomatic remission at week 8. Patients not experiencing at least minor response after 2 weeks are randomized again to either staying on the initially assigned drug or being switched to the alternative compound for another 6 weeks. In case early switching proves superior to maintaining treatment, time wasted for unsuccessful treatment attempts could be minimized, patients' outcomes improved, duration of hospital stays reduced, and thus overall treatment expenses saved. The current report will present the methods of the trial, focusing on various specific features which could be adopted by future studies.

Deep brain stimulation improves behavior and modulates neural circuits in a rodent model of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a significant number of patients not adequately responding to treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical technique currently investigated for medically-refractory psychiatric disorders. Here, we use the poly I:C rat model of schizophrenia to study the effects of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (Nacc) DBS on two behavioral schizophrenia-like deficits, i.e. sensorimotor gating, as reflected by disrupted prepulse inhibition (PPI), and attentional selectivity, as reflected by disrupted latent inhibition (LI). In addition, the neurocircuitry influenced by DBS was studied using FDG PET. We found that mPFC- and Nacc-DBS alleviated PPI and LI abnormalities in poly I:C offspring, whereas Nacc- but not mPFC-DBS disrupted PPI and LI in saline offspring. In saline offspring, mPFC-DBS increased metabolism in the parietal cortex, striatum, ventral hippocampus and Nacc, while reducing it in the brainstem, cerebellum, hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray. Nacc-DBS, on the other hand, increased activity in the ventral hippocampus and olfactory bulb and reduced it in the septal area, brainstem, periaqueductal gray and hypothalamus. In poly I:C offspring changes in metabolism following mPFC-DBS were similar to those recorded in saline offspring, except for a reduced activity in the brainstem and hypothalamus. In contrast, Nacc-DBS did not induce any statistical changes in brain metabolism in poly I:C offspring. Our study shows that mPFC- or Nacc-DBS delivered to the adult progeny of poly I:C treated dams improves deficits in PPI and LI. Despite common behavioral responses, stimulation in the two targets induced different metabolic effects.

[Psychiatrists' decision making and monitoring of antipsychotic prescription for elderly schizophrenia patients]

OBJECTIVE

Advancing age entails specific treatment modalities for patients with schizophrenia. The choice of appropriate antipsychotic therapy (AP) and the monitoring of treatment is a major challenge. However, little is known about the real-world prescribing practices of psychiatrists for elderly schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to assess prescribing practices and treatment monitoring in elderly schizophrenia patients and whether socio-professional psychiatrists' characteristics are related to their practices.

METHODS

We contacted by mail 190 psychiatrists to take part in an observational survey of their AP prescribing practices for elderly (aged over 65) schizophrenia patients.

RESULTS

The response rate was 44.2%, and of the psychiatrists who replied 75% were treating elderly schizophrenia patients. A second-generation AP (SGAP) was prescribed as first-line of treatment by 87.7% of the psychiatrists. The most frequently used SGAPs were risperidone and olanzapine (respectively preferred by 54.4% and 19.3% of the psychiatrists taking part). At the beginning of treatment, 91.1% of the psychiatrists prescribed a lower dose than for middle-aged patients. Of the psychiatrists taking part, 64.9% prescribed monotherapy; and among these psychiatrists, 65% cited insufficient control of the disease as the reason for their choice, while 48.7% of those who elected not to prescribe combined AP did so in order to limit the side-effects. Of the psychiatrists taking part, 54.4% prescribed long-acting injectable AP (LAAP); better therapeutic compliance and alliance was the main argument in the choice of LAAP given by the psychiatrists taking part who prescribed the drug, whereas the absence of indications and problems of tolerance were arguments against for those who did not. "Personal experience" emerged as the governing factor in the choice of AP. The AP side-effect profile was the main criterion of choice of the AP agent for 3.5% of the psychiatrists taking part, and the most frequently chosen secondary criterion (29.8%). Monitoring of treatment was partly performed according to professional recommendations: pre-treatment and post-prescription assessments of waist circumference and ophthalmological monitoring were very infrequent (8.8 to 18.5%) as were pre-treatment and early post-prescription assessments of prolactinaemia (14.8 to 20.4%); long-term cardiac monitoring was infrequent (43.9%). The psychiatrists taking part whose first-line drug was SGAP were more familiar with professional recommendations than those who prescribed first generation antipsychotic (FGA) drugs (72% as against 14.3%, P=0.006). Of the psychiatrists taking part in the study, 64.9% reported they commonly use professional recommendations. Psychiatrists who declared they commonly use professional recommendations measured pulse rate and blood pressure significantly more often over the long-term than those who did not (74.3% as against 41.2%, P=0.0315). They also measured waist circumference over the long-term significantly more often than psychiatrists who did not commonly use professional recommendations (22.9% as against 0%, P=0.0420). Psychiatrists treating more than ten of these patients yearly measured significantly more often over the long-term pulse rate and blood pressure than those treating fewer patients (80% as against 50%, P=0.0399). Over the long-term monitoring, psychiatrists with a larger number of elderly schizophrenia patients in their care also performed more often fasting blood glucose test, lipid profile and referral for cardiac consultation with ECG (respectively, 95.5% as against 70.8%, P=0.0489; 90.9% as against 58.3%, P=0.0182; 81.8% as against 29.2%, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this survey need to be confirmed in a larger population sample. The antipsychotic prescribing practices were broadly in agreement with current recommendations except for the tolerance profile which was not the first element taken into account in the choice of the AP agent. Some clinical and paraclinical medical examinations were carried out infrequently, in particular cardiac monitoring over the long-term, which is essential in this elderly patient population. One important element to emerge from our results was that common use of professional recommendations is associated with better monitoring.

Zolpidem test and catatonia

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

There is no consensus regarding treatment of catatonia and the main recent therapeutic progress has been the development of the zolpidem diagnostic and therapeutic test. We report on the use of this test in one of our patients.

CASES SUMMARY

Mr. S. suffered from a paranoid schizophrenia. Three episodes of catatonia are described to illustrate the effect of zolpidem in a patient for whom lorazepam was ineffective or inadequate.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Zolpidem with appropriate testing appears to be a credible alternative to electroconvulsive therapy or increased lorazepam dosing and allows continuation of antipsychotic administration.

Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines of Negative Symptoms in Schizo-phrenia in Central and Eastern Europe: A Literature Review

AIM

To gather and review data describing the epidemiology of schizophrenia and clinical guidelines for schizophrenia therapy in seven Central and Eastern European countries, with a focus on negative symptoms. Methods : A literature search was conducted which included publications from 1995 to 2012 that were indexed in key databases. Results : Reports of mean annual incidence of schizophrenia varied greatly, from 0.04 to 0.58 per 1,000 population. Lifetime prevalence varied from 0.4% to 1.4%. One study reported that at least one negative symptom was present in 57.6% of patients with schizophrenia and in 50-90% of individuals experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Primary negative symptoms were observed in 10-30% of patients. Mortality in patients with schizophrenia was greater than in the general population, with a standardized mortality ratio of 2.58-4.30. Reasons for higher risk of mortality in the schizophrenia population included increased suicide risk, effect of schizophrenia on lifestyle and environment, and presence of comorbidities. Clinical guidelines overall supported the use of second-generation antipsychotics in managing negative symptoms of schizophrenia, although improved therapeutic approaches are needed. Conclusion : Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses and poses a considerable burden on patients and healthcare resources alike. Negative symptoms are present in many patients and there is an unmet need to improve treatment offerings for negative symptoms beyond the use of second-generation antipsychotics and overall patient outcomes.

A retrospective observational study of the effectiveness of paliperidone palmitate on acute inpatient hospitalization rates

This retrospective mirror-image observational study aimed to establish the effects of the long-acting antipsychotic injection paliperidone palmitate (PP) on acute inpatient hospitalization rates. We utilized routinely collected clinical data to compare the number and length of acute patient admissions 1 year before and 1 year after initiation of PP. A single cohort of 66 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and who had received monthly injections of PP for at least 1 year were included in the analysis. The mean number of acute inpatient admissions fell from 0.86 in the year before PP initiation to 0.23 in the following year (P = 0.001), and there was a numerical but nonsignificant decrease in the number of bed days from 32.48 to 31.22 over the study duration. The median number of bed days in the year before PP initiation was 20, and in the year after initiation it was 0. The median number of admissions also fell from 1 to 0 during the same period. The results of the study should be treated cautiously because of the limitations of the study design but suggest that patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who continue treatment with PP over 12 months experience a significant reduction in hospital admissions compared with the previous year.

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for Biological Treatment of Schizophrenia. Part 3: Update 2015 Management of special circumstances: Depression, Suicidality, substance use disorders and pregnancy and lactation

These updated guidelines are based on the first edition of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for biological treatment of schizophrenia published in the years 2005 and 2006. For this 2015 revision, all available publications pertaining to the biological treatment of schizophrenia were reviewed systematically to allow for an evidence-based update. These guidelines provide evidence-based practice recommendations which are clinically and scientifically relevant. They are intended to be used by all physicians diagnosing and treating patients with schizophrenia. Based on the first version of these guidelines a systematic review, as well as a data extraction from national guidelines have been performed for this update. The identified literature was evaluated with respect to the strength of evidence for its efficacy and subsequently categorised into six levels of evidence (A-F) and five levels of recommendation (1-5). This third part of the updated guidelines covers the management of the following specific treatment circumstances: comorbid depression, suicidality, various comorbid substance use disorders (legal and illegal drugs), and pregnancy and lactation. These guidelines are primarily concerned with the biological treatment (including antipsychotic medication and other pharmacological treatment options) of patients with schizophrenia.

Practitioner attitudes to clozapine initiation

OBJECTIVE

Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It is recommended as third-line treatment for schizophrenia in national and local guidelines. Despite this, it is underutilised. This survey aimed to clarify barriers to prescribing and elucidate factors that may improve patient access to clozapine.

METHOD

A questionnaire was made available to all staff members at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

RESULTS

In total, 144 clinical staff completed the questionnaire. The majority (81%) of respondents were 'fairly' or 'very' familiar with clozapine prescribing guidelines. Barriers to prescribing most commonly stated as being 'very frequently' a problem were patient concerns about tolerability of clozapine or patient refusal to adhere to blood test monitoring. Staff members also felt medical complications frequently prevented clozapine prescription. Dedicated staff or day hospital placements devoted to clozapine initiation were identified as factors most likely to increase prescribing of clozapine.

CONCLUSION

Professionals identified the dominant barriers to prescribing as being patient focussed - refusal of blood test monitoring or concerns about tolerability. Clinician fears about compliance or medical complications were also important. The development of out-patient services specifically tasked with initiating clozapine may help to increase the frequency of prescribing of clozapine earlier in treatment than is currently seen.

History, background, concepts and current use of comedication and polypharmacy in psychiatry

Based on a careful literature search a review is presented of the history, background, concepts and current use of comedication and polypharmacy in psychiatry. The pros and cons of comedication and polypharmacy are presented, as well as their apparent increase in recent times. Possible reasons for the increase of comedication/polypharmacy are described. Both the potential advantages as well as the potential risks are discussed. The one sided view that all comedication/polypharmacy is nothing but problematic is questioned. Comedication/polypharmacy seems to be, among others, the current answer to the well-known limited efficacy and effectiveness of current monotherapy treatment strategies.

Towards a framework for treatment effectiveness in schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

Prompt administration of antipsychotic treatment that is adhered to is essential for the optimal treatment of schizophrenia. Many patients have benefited from the advent of second-generation antipsychotics, which can offer good symptomatic control with reduced incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms, although with higher risk of metabolic side effects. It is unsurprising that accounts as to whether first- and second-generation antipsychotics differ in their efficacy vary, since treatment effectiveness is a broad notion and difficult to define.

OBJECTIVES

Numerous factors may be used to gauge treatment effectiveness and, while it has largely been defined in terms of improvements in four domains (symptoms of disease, treatment burden, disease burden, and health and wellness), the real-world clinical utility of this consensus is unclear. Therefore, this article aims to provide a framework that can aid psychiatrists in making assessments about treatment effectiveness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A panel of 12 psychiatrists and psychopharmacologists convened to develop and propose an accessible and globally-applicable framework for assessing the effectiveness of antipsychotic treatments in patients with schizophrenia. Following presentation of a preliminary proposal to a wider group of psychiatrists from across Europe, it was refined into a framework comprising five domains: symptomatic remission and retention of treatment; affective symptoms; cognitive functioning; treatment satisfaction; and personal and social functioning - each of which is discussed in this article.

CONCLUSIONS

This article provides a framework that can aid psychiatrists in making assessments about treatment effectiveness. It is anticipated that the framework outlined here may contribute to improving clinical practice through the promotion of a patient-centered approach to the assessment of treatment effectiveness, using five specified domains, in patients with schizophrenia.

Factors associated with early response to olanzapine and clinical and functional outcomes of early responders treated for schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China

BACKGROUND

The aims of this analysis were to identify factors associated with early response (at 4 weeks) to olanzapine treatment and to assess whether early response is associated with better longer-term outcomes for patients with schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis of a multi-country, 6-month, prospective, observational study of outpatients with schizophrenia or bipolar mania who initiated or switched to treatment with oral olanzapine was conducted using data from the Chinese schizophrenia subgroup (n=330). Factors associated with early response were identified using a stepwise logistic regression with baseline clinical characteristics, baseline participation in a weight control program, and adherence with antipsychotics during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Mixed models for repeated measures with baseline covariates were used to compare outcomes over time between early responders and early nonresponders to olanzapine.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty patients (40%) achieved an early response. Early response was independently predicted by higher baseline Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-1.97), fewer years since first diagnosis (OR 0.94, CI 0.90-0.98), a greater number of social activities (OR 1.22, CI 1.05-1.40), participation in a weight control program (OR 1.81, CI 1.04-3.15), and high adherence with antipsychotics during the first 4 weeks of treatment (OR 2.98, CI 1.59-5.58). Relative to early nonresponders, early responders were significantly more likely to meet treatment response criteria at endpoint, had significantly greater symptom improvement (Clinical Global Impressions-Severity), and had significantly greater improvement in functional outcomes (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

High levels of adherence to prescribed antipsychotics and participation in a weight control program were associated with early response to olanzapine in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Early response was associated with greater improvement in symptomatic, functional, and quality of life outcomes at 6 months compared with early nonresponse. Current findings are consistent with previous research outside of the People's Republic of China.

An ecologically valid performance-based social functioning assessment battery for schizophrenia

Psychiatrists pay more attention to the social functioning outcome of schizophrenia nowadays. How to evaluate the real world function among schizophrenia is a challenging task due to culture difference, there is no such kind of instrument in terms of the Chinese setting. This study aimed to report the validation of an ecologically valid performance-based everyday functioning assessment for schizophrenia, namely the Beijing Performance-based Functional Ecological Test (BJ-PERFECT). Fifty community-dwelling adults with schizophrenia and 37 healthy controls were recruited. Fifteen of the healthy controls were re-tested one week later. All participants were administered the University of California, San Diego, Performance-based Skill Assessment-Brief version (UPSA-B) and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). The finalized assessment included three subdomains: transportation, financial management and work ability. The test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities were good. The total score significantly correlated with the UPSA-B. The performance of individuals with schizophrenia was significantly more impaired than healthy controls, especially in the domain of work ability. Among individuals with schizophrenia, functional outcome was influenced by premorbid functioning, negative symptoms and neurocognition such as processing speed, visual learning and attention/vigilance.

Switching to olanzapine long-acting injection from either oral olanzapine or any other antipsychotic: comparative post hoc analyses

BACKGROUND

A considerable proportion of patients suffering from schizophrenia show suboptimal responses to oral antipsychotics due to inadequate adherence. Hence, they are likely to benefit from switching to a long-acting injectable formulation. These post hoc analyses assessed the clinical effects of switching to olanzapine long-acting injection (OLAI) from either oral olanzapine (OLZ) or other antipsychotics (non-OLZ).

METHODS

Post hoc analyses were done based on two randomized studies (one short-term, one long-term) conducted in patients suffering from schizophrenia and treated with OLAI. The short-term study was an 8-week placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in acute patients, and the long-term study was a 2-year, oral olanzapine-controlled, open-label, follow-up of stabilized outpatients.

RESULTS

These analyses used data from 62 OLAI-treated patients (12 switched from OLZ, 50 from non-OLZ) from the short-term study and 190 OLAI-treated patients (56 switched from OLZ, 134 from non-OLZ) from the long-term study. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses of time to all-cause discontinuation of OLAI treatment did not differ significantly between OLZ and non-OLZ patients in the short-term study (P=0.209) or long-term study (P=0.448). Similarly, the proportions of OLZ and non-OLZ patients that discontinued OLAI were not statistically different in the short-term (16.7% versus 36.0%, respectively; P=0.198) or long-term (57.1% versus 47.8% respectively; P=0.238) studies. In the short-term study, no significant differences were detected between the patient groups in mean change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (-13.4 OLZ versus -20.8 non-OLZ; P=0.166). In the long-term study, mean change in PANSS total score (3.9 OLZ versus -3.6 non-OLZ; P=0.008) was significantly different between the non-OLZ and OLZ groups. Rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar in OLZ and non-OLZ groups per study.

CONCLUSION

These post hoc analyses suggest that no significant differences in clinical effectiveness were seen after switching from non-OLZ or OLZ to OLAI. However, these findings should be interpreted with care, due to small sample sizes and differences in patients' clinical profiles.

Definitions and drivers of relapse in patients with schizophrenia: a systematic literature review

Relapse in patients with schizophrenia has devastating repercussions, including worsening symptoms, impaired functioning, cognitive deterioration and reduced quality of life. This progressive decline exacerbates the burden of illness on patients and their families. Relapse prevention is identified as a key therapeutic aim; however, the absence of widely accepted relapse definition criteria considerably hampers achieving this goal. We conducted a literature review in order to investigate the reporting of relapses and the validity of hospitalization as a proxy for relapse in patients with schizophrenia. The primary aim was to assess the range and validity of methods used to define relapse in observational or naturalistic settings. The secondary aim was to capture information on factors that predicted or influenced the risk of relapse. A structured search of the PubMed database identified articles that discussed relapse, and hospitalization as a proxy of relapse, in patients with schizophrenia. National and international guidelines were also reviewed. Of the 150 publications and guidelines identified, 87 defined relapse and 62% of these discussed hospitalization. Where hospitalization was discussed, this was as a proxy for, or a component of, relapse in the majority of cases. However, hospitalization duration and type varied and were not always well defined. Scales were used to define relapse in 53 instances; 10 different scales were used and multiple scales often appeared within the same definition. There were 95 references to factors that may drive relapse, including non-adherence to antipsychotic medication (21/95), stress/depression (11/95) and substance abuse (9/95). Twenty-five publications discussed the potential of antipsychotic therapy to reduce relapse rates-continuous antipsychotic therapy was associated with reduced frequency and duration of hospitalization. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural therapy, were also commonly reported as factors that may reduce relapse. In conclusion, this review identified numerous factors used to define relapse. Hospitalization was the factor most frequently used and represents a useful proxy for relapse when reporting in a naturalistic setting. Several factors were reported to increase the risk of relapse, and observation of these may aid the identification of at-risk patients.

Safety and tolerability of once monthly aripiprazole treatment initiation in adults with schizophrenia stabilized on selected atypical oral antipsychotics other than aripiprazole

OBJECTIVE

Safety and tolerability assessment of initiating treatment with a once monthly long-acting injectable form of aripiprazole (aripiprazole once monthly) in patients stabilized on oral antipsychotics other than aripiprazole.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia treated with oral atypical antipsychotics other than aripiprazole and with a history of aripiprazole tolerability were enrolled. Patients were stabilized per investigator's judgment for ≥14 days on oral atypical antipsychotics during screening. Patients then received one dose of aripiprazole once monthly (400 mg). Concomitant with aripiprazole once monthly, subjects received their current oral atypical antipsychotic for 14 ± 1 days at doses reduced to the mid/lower recommended dose range. Safety and tolerability were assessed for the 28-day treatment phase. For pharmacokinetic analyses, aripiprazole plasma concentrations were measured on Days 7, 14, and 28.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were enrolled and initiated with aripiprazole once monthly while continuing treatment with oral olanzapine (n = 3), quetiapine (n = 28), risperidone (n = 24) or ziprasidone (n = 5). Duration of co-administered oral antipsychotic treatment varied, ranging from 0 to 15 days. Treatment was well tolerated. Frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were injection-site pain and toothache (4/60 subjects each, 6.7%), followed by dystonia, fatigue, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, insomnia and restlessness (3/60 subjects each, 5.0%). Most TEAEs occurred in the first 8 days of co-administration irrespective of days of oral overlap. No clinically relevant mean changes from baseline were observed for laboratory values or fasting metabolic parameters. Psychotic symptoms remained stable. Aripiprazole plasma concentrations were similar to those observed following daily doses of oral aripiprazole.

CONCLUSIONS

The adverse-event profile of patients receiving aripiprazole once monthly concomitant with oral atypical antipsychotics other than aripiprazole was consistent with previous reports of aripiprazole once monthly concomitant with oral aripiprazole. Adverse events were similar irrespective of prior atypical antipsychotic and duration of oral antipsychotic overlap, suggesting that patients can be safely switched from their existing oral antipsychotic to aripiprazole once monthly without requiring an intermediate stabilization phase with oral aripiprazole. Aspects of the study design (open-label trial and short duration) and patient population (predominantly male and of African-American ethnicity) may limit the generalizability of these findings.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Safety and Tolerability Trial of Aripiprazole IM Depot Treatment in Adult Subjects With Schizophrenia Stabilized on Oral Antipsychotics Other Than Aripiprazole. ID number: NCT01552772. Registry: clinicaltrials.gov.

Effects of risperidone and olanzapine dose reduction on cognitive function in stable patients with schizophrenia: an open-label, randomized, controlled, pilot study

Impact of dose reduction of atypical antipsychotics on cognitive function has not been investigated in stable patients with schizophrenia. In this open-label, 28-week, randomized controlled trial, stable patients with schizophrenia treated with risperidone or olanzapine were randomly assigned to the reduction group (dose reduced by 50% in 4 weeks and then maintained) or maintenance group (dose kept constant). Assessments at baseline and week 28 included the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS). Sixty-one patients were enrolled; 2 of 31 (6.5%) and 5 of 30 (16.7%) patients prematurely withdrew from the study in the reduction and maintenance groups, respectively. While no significant differences in change in the PANSS total score were observed between the 2 groups, the reduction group showed significantly greater improvements in the RBANS and DIEPSS total scores compared with the maintenance group (mean ± SD, +7.0±7.1 vs -0.1±8.0, P < .001; -0.9±1.7 vs +0.1±1.2, P = .010, respectively). This 6-month pilot study suggests that risperidone or olanzapine dose reduction of 50% can improve cognitive function for stable patients with schizophrenia. Due to the open-label design, small sample size, and short study duration, however, there is a need to confirm the finding through double-blind, larger scale trials with longer follow-up periods. Moreover, potential risks of relapse following antipsychotic dose reduction should be thoroughly investigated in longer term studies.

Brain functional connectivity of male patients in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES

Abnormal task-related activation and connectivity is present in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was the analysis of functional networks in schizophrenia patients in remission after the first episode.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Twenty-nine male patients in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls underwent examination by functional magnetic resonance during verbal fluency tasks (VFT). The functional connectivity of brain networks was analyzed using independent component analysis.

RESULTS

The patients showed lower activation of the salience network during VFT. They also showed lower deactivation of the default mode network (DMN) during VFT processing. Spectral analysis of the component time courses showed decreased power in slow frequencies of signal fluctuations in the salience and DMNs and increased power in higher frequencies in the left frontoparietal cortex reflecting higher fluctuations of the network activity. Moreover, there was decreased similarity of component time courses in schizophrenia—the patients had smaller negative correlation between VFT activated and deactivated networks, and smaller positive correlations between DMN subcomponents.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still an abnormal functional connectivity of several brain networks in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia. The effect of different treatment modalities on brain connectivity, together with temporal dynamics of this functional abnormality should be the objective of further studies to assess its potential as a marker of disease stabilization.

The personal, societal, and economic burden of schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China: implications for antipsychotic therapy

BACKGROUND

This article describes the personal, societal, and economic burden attributable to schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China and highlights the potential for effective outpatient treatment to reduce this burden given recent changes in the Chinese health care system. The importance of effective antipsychotic therapy in reducing the burden of schizophrenia is also examined.

METHODS

Published research on the burden, disability, management, and economic costs of schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China was examined in the context of the larger body of global research. Research written in English or Chinese and published before June 2012 was identified using PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Med database searches. The contribution of effective antipsychotic therapy in reducing the risk for relapse and hospitalization and improving patients' functioning is described.

RESULTS

Schizophrenia imposes a substantial burden on Chinese society, with indirect costs accounting for the majority of the total cost. Functional impairment is high, leading to lost wages and work impairment. In the People's Republic of China, schizophrenia is the most common diagnosis among hospitalized psychiatric patients. Ongoing changes in the Chinese health care system may reduce some barriers to effective relapse prevention in schizophrenia and potentially reduce hospitalizations. The use of antipsychotics for acute episodes and maintenance treatment has been shown to decrease symptom severity and reduce the risk for relapse and hospitalization. However, discontinuing antipsychotic medication appears common and is a strong predictor of relapse. Cost-effectiveness research in the People's Republic of China is needed to examine the potential gains from improved outpatient antipsychotic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Schizophrenia is a very costly mental illness in terms of personal, economic, and societal burden, both in the People's Republic of China and globally. When treated effectively, patients tend to persist longer with antipsychotic treatment, have fewer costly relapses, and have improved functioning. Further research examining the long-term effects of reducing barriers to effective treatments on the societal burden of schizophrenia in the People's Republic of China is needed.

Clinicians' attitudes toward the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics

Depot formulations are not widely used in everyday practice. This study aimed to assess psychiatrists' attitudes toward the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in schizophrenia. We interviewed 113 French psychiatrists about the factors that influenced their prescription of LAI antipsychotics. Multidimensional and cluster analyses were used to detect correlations. The most important factor against the use of LAI antipsychotics is a sufficient estimated compliance with the oral formulation. For first-generation LAI, the main factor is the risk for extrapyramidal symptoms; and for second-generation LAI, it is the unavailability of the equivalent oral formulation. Four factors incite the psychiatrists to prescribe LAI. Two different clusters of patients can also be identified. Most factors influencing the clinicians' attitudes toward the use of LAI antipsychotics are shared in many countries. Conversely, some attitudes related to organizational aspects, particularly the relevance of health care costs, may vary from one country to another.

The effects of ziprasidone, clozapine and haloperidol on lipid peroxidation in human plasma (in vitro): comparison

Oxidative injury in schizophrenia can be caused by the disease itself and probably by antipsychotics treatment. The aim of the study was to establish whether there is a difference between ziprasidone, clozapine and haloperidol effect on lipid peroxidation in human plasma, measured by the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The samples of plasma from healthy subjects were incubated with the drugs (1 and 24 h) and compared with control samples. The levels of TBARS were measured spectrophotometrically, according to the Rice-Evans method. The multifactorial variance analysis ANOVA II test showed that the differences in TBARS levels significantly depended on the studied drugs (ziprasidone 40 ng/ml, haloperidol 4 ng/ml and clozapine 350 ng/ml) (F = 3.248 p = 0.047) and (ziprasidone 139 ng/ml, haloperidol 20 ng/ml and clozapine 420 ng/ml) (F = 2.248, p = 2.9 × 10(-5)). Statistically increased levels of TBARS after 24 h incubation of plasma with ziprasidone 139 ng/ml and haloperidol 20 ng/ml (p < 0.001, p < 0.05 respectively) in comparison with control samples were observed. Clozapine did not significantly (p > 0.05) increase TBARS level in plasma in comparison with control samples. The results obtained in the study showed that ziprasidone and haloperidol contrary to clozapine induced a significant increase in plasma lipid peroxidation.

Antipsychotic augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Because of the high number of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) not responding satisfactorily to initial monotherapy with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), the evaluation of additional treatment options is highly relevant. To examine efficacy of add-on pharmacotherapy with antipsychotics, a systematic literature search was applied to identify all double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials (DB-PC-RCTs) determining the efficacy of antipsychotic augmentation of SRIs in treatment-resistant OCD. The primary outcome of the pooled meta-analytic data analysis was response to the adjunctive antipsychotic treatment measured by both the rates of participants achieving response [defined as ≥ 35% reduction in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS)] and mean changes in YBOCS total score. Twelve DB-PC-RCTs investigating quetiapine (N = 5), risperidone (N = 3), olanzapine (N = 2), aripiprazole (N = 1) and haloperidol (N = 1) with a total of 394 subjects were included. Significantly more patients responded to augmentation with antipsychotics than with placebo [relative risk = 2.10, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.16-3.80]. Additionally, the mean reduction of the YBOCS total score revealed an efficacy in favour of the antipsychotic medication [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.54, 95% CI 0.15-0.93]. Significant efficacy was identifiable only for risperidone, but not for quetiapine and olanzapine. The results regarding aripiprazole and haloperidol were inconsistent. Overall, about one-third of SRI-resistant OCD patients benefited from an augmentation strategy with antipsychotics. Based on the favourable risk:benefit ratio, risperidone can be considered as the agent of first choice and should be preferred to quetiapine and olanzapine. Further trials, mainly with higher antipsychotic doses, are required to optimize pharmacological treatment recommendations for SRI-refractory OCD.

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for biological treatment of schizophrenia, part 2: update 2012 on the long-term treatment of schizophrenia and management of antipsychotic-induced side effects

Abstract These updated guidelines are based on a first edition of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for biological treatment of schizophrenia published in 2006. For this 2012 revision, all available publications pertaining to the biological treatment of schizophrenia were reviewed systematically to allow for an evidence-based update. These guidelines provide evidence-based practice recommendations that are clinically and scientifically meaningful. They are intended to be used by all physicians diagnosing and treating people suffering from schizophrenia. Based on the first version of these guidelines, a systematic review of the MEDLINE/PUBMED database and the Cochrane Library, in addition to data extraction from national treatment guidelines, has been performed for this update. The identified literature was evaluated with respect to the strength of evidence for its efficacy and then categorised into six levels of evidence (A-F) and five levels of recommendation (1-5) ( Bandelow et al. 2008a ,b, World J Biol Psychiatry 9:242, see Table 1 ). This second part of the updated guidelines covers long-term treatment as well as the management of relevant side effects. These guidelines are primarily concerned with the biological treatment (including antipsychotic medication and other pharmacological treatment options) of adults suffering from schizophrenia.

Impact of long-acting injectable antipsychotics on medication adherence and clinical, functional, and economic outcomes of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating chronic disease that requires lifelong medical care and supervision. Even with treatment, the majority of patients relapse within 5 years, and suicide may occur in up to 10% of patients. Poor adherence to oral antipsychotics is the most common cause of relapse. The discontinuation rate for oral antipsychotics in schizophrenia ranges from 26% to 44%, and as many as two-thirds of patients are at least partially nonadherent, resulting in increased risk of hospitalization. A very helpful approach to improve adherence in schizophrenia is the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, although only a minority of patients receive these. Reasons for underutilization may include negative attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of both patients and health care professionals. Research shows, however, significant improvements in adherence with LAIs compared with oral drugs, and this is accompanied by lower rates of discontinuation, relapse, and hospitalization. In addition, LAIs are associated with better functioning, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. A need exists to encourage broader LAI use, especially among patients with a history of nonadherence with oral antipsychotics. This paper reviews the impact of nonadherence with antipsychotic drug therapy overall, as well as specific outcomes of the schizophrenia patient, and highlights the potential benefits of LAIs.

Interventions to reduce antipsychotic polypharmacy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

It still remains unclear as to how to counteract antipsychotic polypharmacy that remains controversial but common. The objective of this study was to synthesize the clinical evidence to reduce antipsychotic polypharmacy (i.e. use of multiple antipsychotics) in schizophrenia.

METHODS

A literature search was performed to identify clinical trials that attempted to reduce antipsychotic polypharmacy in patients with schizophrenia by any form of systematic intervention using PubMed as well as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO (last search: June 2012). The search terms included "antipsychotics" and "polypharmacy". Cross-referencing was also performed.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 17 studies. Only 3 studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 2 open-label trials) were found that systematically switched antipsychotic polypharmacy to monotherapy. In two of them, more than two thirds of the subjects successfully completed the switch (40/58, 69.0%; 34/44, and 77.3%, respectively) while less than half the subjects tolerated it in the other study (6/14 and 42.9%) although the sample size was very small. On the other hand, 14 studies that examined impacts of interventions have physicians refrain from antipsychotic polypharmacy. While a modest intervention with educational approach alone was effective in three of the five articles, a more assertive intervention that directly cautioned physicians on the use of polypharmacy was effective in 10 of 12 articles.

CONCLUSION

The literature search revealed the paucity of the data. Careful switching from polypharmacy to monotherapy seems feasible in a majority of patients with schizophrenia. Assertive interventions, rather than passive educational approaches alone, appear more effective in reducing antipsychotic polypharmacy.

Benzodiazepines for schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Because of the high number of people with schizophrenia not responding adequately to monotherapy with antipsychotic agents, the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of additional medication was examined in a number of clinical trials. One approach to this research question was the use of benzodiazepines, as monotherapy as well as in combination with antipsychotics.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of benzodiazepines in people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychoses.

SEARCH METHODS

In February 2011, we updated the literature search of the previous version of this systematic review (last search March 2005). We searched the trial register of the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group (containing methodical searches of BIOSIS, CINAHL, Dissertation abstracts, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, PSYNDEX, PsycINFO, RUSSMED, Sociofile, supplemented with hand searching of relevant journals and numerous conference proceedings). Additionally, we inspected references of all identified studies for further relevant studies and contacted authors of relevant publications in order to obtain missing data from existing trials. We applied no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomised controlled trials comparing benzodiazepines (as monotherapy or as adjunctive agent) with antipsychotic drugs or placebo for the pharmacological management of schizophrenia and/or schizophrenia-like psychoses.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors (MD and CL) analysed independently the new references of the update-search referring to the inclusion criteria. MD and CL extracted all data from the included trials. For dichotomous outcomes we calculated risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). We analysed continuous data by using mean differences (MD) and their 95% CI. We assessed each pre-selected outcome from the included trials with the risk of bias tool.

MAIN RESULTS

The 2011 update search yielded three further randomised controlled trials. The review currently includes 34 studies with 2657 participants. Most studies were characterised by a small sample size, short duration, and incomplete outcome data reporting.Benzodiazepine monotherapy is compared with placebo in eight trials. The proportion of participants with no clinically important response did not significantly differ between those given benzodiazepines or placebo (N = 382, 6 RCTs, RR 0.67 CI 0.44 to 1.02). The results from the various rating scales applied to assess global and mental state were inconsistent.Fourteen studies examined benzodiazepine monotherapy in comparison with antipsychotic monotherapy. Clinically important treatment response assessment revealed no statistically significant difference between the study groups (30 minutes: N = 44, 1 RCT, RR 0.91 CI 0.58 to 1.43; 60 minutes: N = 44,1 RCT, RR 0.61 CI 0.20 to 1.86; 12 hours: N = 66, 1 RCT, RR 0.75 CI 0.44 to 1.30; pooled short-term studies: N = 112, 2 RCTs, RR 1.48 CI 0.64 to 3.46). Desired sedation occurred significantly more often among participants in the benzodiazepine group than in the antipsychotic group at 20 and 40 minutes. No significant between-group differences could be identified for global and mental state or occurrence of adverse effects.Twenty trials compared benzodiazepine augmentation of antipsychotics with antipsychotic monotherapy. Referring to clinically important response, statistically significant improvement could be demonstrated only for the first 30 minutes of augmentation treatment (30 minutes: 1 RCT, N = 45, RR 0.38 CI 0.18 to 0.80; 60 minutes: N = 45,1 RCT, RR 0.07 CI 0.00 to 1.13; 12 hour: N = 67,1 RCT, RR 0.85 CI 0.51 to 1.41; pooled short-term studies: N = 511, 6 RCTs, RR 0.87 CI 0.49 to 1.54). Analyses of the global and mental state yielded no between-group differences except for desired sedation at 30 as well as 60 minutes (30 minutes: N = 45, 1 RCT, RR 2.25 CI 1.18 to 4.30; 60 minutes: N = 45, 1 RCT, RR 1.39 CI 1.06 to 1.83).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is currently no convincing evidence to confirm or refute the practise of administering benzodiazepines as monotherapy or in combination with antipsychotics for the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychosis. Low-quality evidence suggests that benzodiazepines are effective for very short-term sedation and could be considered for calming acutely agitated people with schizophrenia. Measured by the overall attrition rate, the acceptability of benzodiazepine treatment appears to be adequate. Adverse effects were generally poorly reported. High-quality future research projects with large sample sizes are required to clarify the evidence of benzodiazepine treatment in schizophrenia, especially regarding long-term augmentation strategies.

Mapping brain regions in which deep brain stimulation affects schizophrenia-like behavior in two rat models of schizophrenia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The development of more efficient treatment remains a major unmet need in the realm of schizophrenia disease. Using the maternal immune stimulation and the pubertal cannabinoid administration rat model of schizophrenia, the present study aimed at testing the hypothesis that deep brain stimulation (DBS) serves as a novel therapeutic technique for this disorder.

METHODS

Adult offspring of dams, treated with the immune activating agent poly I:C (4 mg/kg, n = 50) or saline (n = 50), underwent bilateral stereotactic electrode implantation into one of the following brain regions: subthalamic nucleus (STN, n = 12/10), entopeduncularis nucleus (EP, n = 10/11), globus pallidus (GP, n = 10/10), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC, n = 8/8), or dorsomedial thalamus (DM, n = 10/11). Adult rats treated with the CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN, n = 16) or saline (n = 12) during puberty were bilaterally implanted with electrodes into either the mPFC (n = 8/6) or the DM (n = 8/6). After a post-operative recovery period of one week, all rats were tested on a well-established cross-species phenomenon that is disrupted in schizophrenia, the pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) under different DBS conditions.

RESULTS

Poly I:C induced deficits in PPI of the ASR were normalized upon DBS. DBS effects depended on both stimulation target and stimulation parameters. Most prominent effects were found under DBS at high frequencies in the mPFC and DM. These effects were replicated in the pubertal WIN administration rat model of schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Brain regions, in which DBS normalized PPI deficits, might be of therapeutic relevance to the treatment of schizophrenia. Results imply that DBS could be considered a plausible therapeutic technique in the realm of schizophrenia disease.

Pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

A lack of human and financial resources, as well as effective health systems, leads to a worldwide treatment gap for schizophrenia. The aim of this paper is to propose evidence-based antipsychotics interventions for people with schizophrenia with special focus in low and middle income countries (LAMIC) reality.

METHOD

A comprehensive search was conducted to locate the main clinical trials, reviews and relevant meta-analyses, and a number of the main recent international clinical practice guidelines.

RESULTS

First- and second-generation antipsychotics are similarly effective in the acute treatment of psychotic symptoms. In LAMIC, the treatment of choice for medical treatment of psychotic conditions is the group of so-called 'first generation antipsychotics' (FGAs) preferentially delivered in a community-based service model.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the symptomatic control is essential, it is not the ultimate goal of treatment. The main aim of treatment is to improve functional recovery and social reintegration of patients.