Mortality Risk Associated With Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials

All-cause mortality risk in long-acting injectable versus oral antipsychotics in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment present lower mortality rates than those who do not. However, the non-adherence rate is high, which can be partially addressed using long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. The impact of LAI treatments on all-cause mortality compared to oral antipsychotics remains unclear. To fill that gap, a random effects meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the odds ratio (OR) of all-cause, suicidal, and non-suicidal mortality among patients taking LAI antipsychotics compared to oral antipsychotics (PROSPERO:CRD42023391352). Individual and pooled LAI antipsychotics were analyzed against pooled oral antipsychotics. Sensitivity analyses were performed for study design, setting, and industry sponsorship. Meta-regressions were conducted for gender, age, antipsychotic dose, and race. Seventeen articles, total sample 12,042 patients (N = 5795 oral, N = 6247 LAI) were included. Lower risk of all-cause mortality for patients receiving LAI antipsychotics vs receiving oral antipsychotics was found (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.95). Statistical significance was maintained when only studies comparing the same LAI and oral antipsychotic were included (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.95; p = <0.01), as well as for non-suicidal mortality (OR = 0.77: 95%CI = 0.63-0.94; p = 0.01), but not for suicidal mortality (OR = 0.86; 95%CI = 0.59-1.26; p = 0.44). Mortality reduction was more pronounced for LAI antipsychotics in first-episode psychosis (FEP) (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.96) compared to chronic psychosis. No individual LAI reported statistically significant differences against all pooled oral antipsychotics. LAI antipsychotics are associated with a lower risk of all-cause and non-suicidal mortality in individuals with schizophrenia compared to oral antipsychotics. Better adherence to the medication and health services may explain this difference. Whenever possible, the use of LAIs should be considered from the FEP.

Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Schizophrenic Patients Treated with Paliperidone Palmitate Once-Monthly Injection (PP1M): A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia is one of the leading causes of disability. Paliperidone palmitate once-monthly injection (PP1M) was developed to provide consistent drug delivery and improve medication adherence for maintenance treatment. It is well known that patients with schizophrenia have higher cardiovascular risks, however little is known about the cardiovascular risks of patients with schizophrenia treated with PP1M in Asia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of cardiovascular events after initiating PP1M treatment and evaluate the cardiovascular risk associations compared with oral second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).

METHODS

Data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database were used to identify a cohort of adult patients with schizophrenia who received any SGAs from 1 March 2012 to 31 December 2018. Patients who initiated PP1M treatment were enrolled for descriptive analysis of incidence rates. PP1M patients were propensity matched 1:1 to patients initiating a new oral SGA, for comparative analysis based on demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment history at baseline, in three-step matching procedures, following the prevalent new-user design to enhance comparability. Follow-up ended at the end of the treatment episode of index drug, death, last record available, or end of the study (31 December 2019). Study endpoints included serious cardiovascular events (including severe ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death), expanded serious cardiovascular events (which further included acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke), and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Risks of study endpoints between matched cohorts were compared using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 11,023 patients initiating PP1M treatment were identified (49.5% were females; mean age of 43.2 [12.2] years). Overall incidences for serious cardiovascular events, expanded serious cardiovascular events, and cardiovascular hospitalizations were 3.92, 7.88 and 51.96 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In matched cohort analysis (N = 10,115), the hazard ratios (HRs) between initiating PP1M and a new oral SGA for serious cardiovascular events, expanded serious cardiovascular events, and cardiovascular hospitalizations were 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-1.36), 0.88 (95% CI 0.63-1.21), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.69-0.89), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study reported the population-based incidence of cardiovascular events in schizophrenic patients initiating PP1M treatment. PP1M was not associated with increased risks of serious cardiovascular events but was potentially associated with lower risks of cardiovascular hospitalizations compared with oral SGAs.

Long-Acting Injectable Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Seriously Ill Patients with Schizophrenia: Doses, Plasma Levels, and Treatment Outcomes

This research studies the dose-plasma level (PL) relationship of second-generation antipsychotics, together with the treatment outcomes achieved, in seriously ill people with schizophrenia. An observational, prospective, one-year follow-up study was carried out with patients (N = 68) with severe schizophrenia treated with paliperidone three-month (PP3M) or aripiprazole one-month (ARIM). Participants were divided into standard-dose or high-dose groups. PLs were divided into "standard PL" and "high PL" (above the therapeutic reference range, TRR) groups. The dose/PL relationship, and severity, hospitalizations, tolerability, compliance, and their relationship with doses and PLs were evaluated. There was no clear linear relationship between ARIM or PP3M doses and the PLs achieved. In half of the subjects, standard doses reached PLs above the TRR. The improvements in clinical outcomes (decrease in clinical severity and relapses) were related to high PLs, without worse treatment tolerability or adherence. All participants remained in the study, regardless of dose or PL. Clinical severity and hospitalizations decreased significantly more in those patients with high PLs. Considering the non-linear dose-PL relationship of ARIM and PP3M in people with severe schizophrenia, PLs above the TRR are linked to better treatment outcomes, without worse tolerability. The need in a notable number of cases for high doses to reach those effective PLs is highlighted.

Prescription of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medications Among Outpatient Mental Health Care Service Providers

OBJECTIVE

Long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications (LAIAPs) are a valuable and underused treatment for patients with chronic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This study aimed to examine prescription patterns of LAIAPs among outpatient mental health care service providers in the United States.

METHODS

The authors conducted a secondary analysis of the 2020-2021 National Mental Health Services Survey to assess the percentage of outpatient mental health care service providers (N=9,433) that prescribed LAIAPs to patients. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe the overall frequency of outpatient facilities prescribing LAIAPs and differences in the specific LAIAPs prescribed. The authors also conducted multivariable analyses to identify facility characteristics associated with likelihood of LAIAP prescribing.

RESULTS

Across all outpatient mental health care service providers, 30.6% prescribed LAIAPs. Community mental health centers were most likely to prescribe LAIAPs (62.6%), whereas partial hospitalization and day programs were least likely (32.1%). The most used LAIAP was paliperidone palmitate (77.7%), and the least used was olanzapine pamoate (29.6%). Providers with programs specifically for patients with serious mental illness (59.5%) and providers with a dedicated first-episode psychosis program (58.2%) were more likely to prescribe LAIAPs than were providers without such programming.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription of LAIAPs is limited at outpatient mental health care service providers in the United States. Expansion of these services and diversification of delivery models are needed to improve LAIAP prescriptions, which are associated with improved patient outcomes across a broad range of measures.

Plasmatic Levels and Response to Variable Doses of Monthly Aripiprazole and Three-Month Paliperidone in Patients with Severe Schizophrenia. Treatment Adherence, Effectiveness, Tolerability, and Safety

Introduction

There is a need when optimizing antipsychotic treatment to know the plasmatic levels (PLs) achieved with the different doses and their relationship with effectiveness and toxicity, especially in patients with poor clinical progress. This study investigates the dose-PL-response relationship of monthly aripiprazole (AOM) and three-month paliperidone (PP3M).

Methods

Observational, 52-week prospective study of patients with severe schizophrenia (CGI-S ≥ 5) treated with PP3M or AOM for at least one year before their inclusion in the study (N=68). Dose-PL relationship was determined. Subjects were included in standard-dose and high-dose (above labeled) and standard/therapeutic range-PLs and high-PLs (above range) groups. Treatment adherence, effectiveness (hospitalizations, severity), tolerability and safety were assessed. PLs and clinical response were evaluated.

Results

No clear linear relationship was found between doses and PLs. In a considerable number of cases, standard doses achieved PLs above the therapeutic range. A significant clinical improvement was related to high PLs, without less safety, tolerability, or treatment compliance being involved. Clinical severity decreased more frequently in patients who received high doses and reached high PLs. Hospital admissions decreased significantly in those patients with high PLs.

Conclusion

Taking into account the absence of a linear relationship between doses and PLs, the effectiveness in people with severe schizophrenia of AOM and PP3M depends on reaching high PLs, achieved with high doses, but also with standard doses in some cases, without leading to worse treatment tolerability, safety, or adherence.

Practical Guidance for the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness causing a high degree of disability. First- and second-generation antipsychotics (FGAs and SGAs) represent key resources for its acute and long-term management. Since a poor adherence to oral treatments may negatively impact the course of the disorder, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are often used to reduce clinical relapses. Notwithstanding their potential beneficial features, LAIs use in clinical practice remains somewhat hampered by the limited amount of relevant systematic information. This review thus aims at providing a clinical, practical guidance for the use of LAIs in the treatment of schizophrenia. We synthetized main information on indications, dosage, and administration of LAIs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or in EU countries, as well as evidence from the most recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Currently available information, though heterogeneous, shows that LAIs can prevent relapses and rehospitalizations, improving clinical outcomes and favouring sustained remission among people with schizophrenia. The use of SGA LAIs is supported by more robust evidence than FGA LAIs. Along with their positive impact on the prevention of treatment discontinuation, some LAIs might also enhance individual global functioning and quality of life, without additional adverse events or health-care costs, as compared with oral antipsychotics. Although which LAIs can be considered a first-choice option, as well as their superiority over oral antipsychotics, remain unclear issues, this review offers a comprehensive overview of information available on the use of LAIs for people with schizophrenia, providing clinicians with practical guidance in terms of efficacy and acceptability of single agents. Literature gaps and future research needs are also described.

The Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Patients with Severe Schizophrenia in the Real World: The Role of the Route of Administration and Dosage-A 5-Year Follow-Up

To assess the impact of the route of administration and doses of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) on treatment adherence, hospital admissions, and suicidal behaviour in patients with severe schizophrenia (Clinical Global Impression−Severity−CGI-S ≥ 5), we implemented an observational 5-year follow-up study. A total of 37.5% of the patients on oral antipsychotics (Aps) and 11.5% of those on long-acting injectables (LAIs) abandoned the treatment (p < 0.001). There were no differences in treatment discontinuation between the LAI-AP standard and high-dose groups. A total of 28.1% of the patients on oral Aps had at least one hospitalisation, as well as 13.1% of patients on LAIs (p < 0.001). There were fewer hospitalisations of patients on LAIs in the high-dose group (p < 0.05). Suicide attempts were recorded for 18% of patients on oral Aps but only for 4.6% of patients on LAIs (p < 0.001). No differences were found between the dosage groups on LAIs. Tolerability was good for all Aps and somewhat better for LAIs than oral Aps in terms of side effects (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the standard and high-dose groups. More patients discontinued treatment due to side effects in the oral AP group (p < 0.01). LAI SGA treatment was more effective than oral AP in terms of adherence and treatment outcomes for managing people with severe schizophrenia. Moreover, significant improvements were found that favour high-dose LAI SGA treatment for some of these patients. This study highlights the need to consider LAI antipsychotics and high-dose strategies for patients with severe schizophrenia.

Underlying disease may increase mortality risk in users of atypical antipsychotics

Schizophrenia is a group of the most common types of mental illness. Commonly used antischizophrenia drugs all increase mortality to some extent. The increased risk of death in older individuals and patients with dementia using atypical antipsychotics may be due to myocardial damage, increased mobility and increased risk of stroke.

Effectiveness of More Personalized, Case-Managed, and Multicomponent Treatment for Patients with Severe Schizophrenia Compared to the Standard Treatment: A Ten-Year Follow-Up

Case management is a model of personalized intervention in people with severe mental illness. To explore the treatment adherence and effectiveness of patients with severe schizophrenia (Clinical Global Impression Severity, CGI-S ≥ 5) undergoing treatment in a community-based, case-managed program (CMP) with an integrated pharmacological and psychosocial approach compared with the standard treatment, an observational, ten-year follow-up study was conducted on patients treated in mental health units (MHUs) or a CMP (n = 688). Treatment discontinuation, hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and antipsychotic (AP) medications were recorded. Clinical severity was assessed with the CGI-S. Adherence to the CMP was higher than adherence to standard treatment (p < 0.001). There were fewer hospitalizations and suicide attempts in the CMP (p < 0.001). The clinical severity decreased more in the CMP (p < 0.005). Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medication was more closely related to these outcomes than oral antipsychotics (APs) were (p < 0.001). Patients with severe schizophrenia in an integrated CMP recorded higher treatment compliance and better outcomes compared with standard care. Treatment with LAI APs was linked to these outcomes. A personalized combination of case management and LAI AP medication was more effective in these patients than standard treatment and oral APs.

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in a Prescription Claims Data Source: A Validation Study

Background

The effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) has been demonstrated in studies using prescription claims data. However, the validity of claims data for LAIAs has not been established.

Objective

We aimed to validate date dispensed, quantity dispensed and days supplied fields in prescription claims data, and to compare claims- and medical record-derived persistence estimates.

Methods

We evaluated LAIA dispensations in the Drug Programs Information Network prescription claims database from Manitoba, Canada against a random sample of medical records. Adults with one or more LAIA prescription between April 2015 and March 2016 were eligible. Results were stratified by LAIA type (first-generation LAIA, risperidone LAI or paliperidone LAI). Persistence estimates were assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and proportion of patients covered method.

Results

Claims data had high positive predictive value, ranging from 80.0% (95% CI 51.9–95.7) to 100.0% (95% CI 89.7–100.0), but low negative predictive value, ranging from 0.0% (95% CI 0.0–2.5) to 62.5% (95% CI 40.6–81.2). Quantity dispensed and days supplied exactly matched dose and dosing interval, respectively, for 99.7% and 97.1% of risperidone LAI doses, 100.0% and 76.6% of paliperidone doses, and 8.9% and 28.3% of first-generation LAIA doses. There were no significant differences in claims-derived versus medical record-derived persistence estimates.

Conclusions

Quantity dispensed and days supplied provide valid estimates of dose and dosing interval for second-generation LAIAs, but underestimated these parameters for first-generation LAIAs. However, a large proportion of medical record-confirmed doses were missing from claims data, and dose and dosing interval are underestimated in claims data.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40801-022-00297-4.

Long-Term Real-World Effectiveness of Aripiprazole Once-Monthly. Treatment Persistence and Its Correlates in the Italian and Spanish Clinical Practice: A Pooled Analysis

BACKGROUND

One of the most significant risk factors for relapse and hospitalization in schizophrenia is non-adherence to antipsychotic medications, very common in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the treatment persistence to aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) and the factors affecting it in the pooled population of two similar studies performed previously in two different European countries.

METHODS

Pooled analysis of two non-interventional, retrospective, patient record-based studies: DOMINO and PROSIGO. Both analyzed treatment persistence after starting AOM treatment in the real-world setting. The primary variable was persistence with AOM treatment during the first 6 months after treatment initiation. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to evaluate the influence of several baseline characteristics on the persistence.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 352 patients included in the two studies, DOMINO (n = 261) and PROSIGO (n = 91). The overall persistence with AOM treatment at the end of the 6-month observation period was 82.4%. The multivariate analysis showed that patients with "secondary school" level of education present a 67.4% lower risk of discontinuation within 6 months after AOM initiation when compared with "no/compulsory education patients" (p = 0.024). In addition, patients with an occupation present a 62.7% lower risk of discontinuation when compared with unemployed patients (p = 0.023). Regarding clinical history, patients with a Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S) score ≤3 present a 78.1% lower risk of discontinuation when compared with patients with a CGI-S score ≥6 (p = 0.044), while patients with a time since schizophrenia diagnosis ≤8.4 years present a 52.9% lower risk of discontinuation when compared with the rest of patients (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

The AOM persistence rate observed in this study was 82.4%, which was higher than that reported in clinical trials, aligned with other real-life studies and higher than reported for other long-acting injectable antipsychotics. The persistence rate was high in complex patients, although patients with higher level of education, active occupation, lower initial CGI-S score and shorter time since the diagnosis of schizophrenia appear to be more likely to remain persistent with AOM during the 6 months after initiation.

Effect of long-acting injectable antipsychotics on hospitalizations and global functioning in schizophrenia: a naturalistic mirror-image study

BACKGROUND

Partial adherence to antipsychotics is the most common cause of relapses and rehospitalization in patients with schizophrenia (SZ), leading to higher health care costs and psychosocial disability. The use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics may improve therapeutic continuity and adherence to treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of switching from oral antipsychotics (OAs) to long-acting antipsychotics.

METHODS

This 1-year mirror-image study evaluated the effect of switching from OAs to LAIs on the reduction of psychiatric hospitalizations and the improvement of global functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Differences in outcomes between second-generation (SGA) LAIs and first-generation (FGA) LAIs were also analyzed.

RESULTS

In all, 166 patients were included: 32.5% treated by FGA-LAIs and 67.5% by SGA-LAIs. There was an overall reduction of 71% in the average number of hospital admissions and an overall improvement of 29.3% in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score between the previous 12 months and the 12 months following the switching to LAIs. Patients who switched to SGA-LAIs had no significant differences in hospitalization occurrences but a significant improvement in GAF scores when compared with patients who switched to FGA-LAIs.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that using LAIs could be the most adequate treatment choice for SZ patients with a high risk of relapse and low adherence rate. Patients with poorer social functioning may be ideal candidates for SGA-LAIs treatment. Our findings may be of particular interest from a clinical and health care management perspective.

Risks of all-cause death and completed suicide in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder treated with long-acting injectable or oral antipsychotics: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

A systematic review and pooled, patient-level analysis of predictors of mortality in neuroleptic malignant syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially fatal, idiosyncratic reaction to antipsychotics. Due to low incidence of NMS, research on risk factors of mortality associated with NMS is limited.

METHODS

Two authors independently searched Medline/Embase/Cochrane/CINAHL/PsychINFO databases for case reports with author-defined NMS published in English until 05/30/2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and outcome data were independently extracted following PRISMA guidelines. NMS severity was rated using the Francis-Yacoub scale. Mortality risk factors were identified using a multivariable regression analysis including all characteristics that were significantly different between NMS cases resulting vs. not resulting in death.

RESULTS

683 cases with NMS were analyzed (median age = 36 years, males = 62.1%). In a multivariable model, independent predictors of NMS mortality were lack of antipsychotic discontinuation (odds ratio (OR) = 4.39 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.14-8.99; p < 0.0001), respiratory problems (OR = 3.54 95%CI = 1.71-7.32; p = 0.0004), severity of hyperthermia (Unit-OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.16-1.46; p < 0.0001), and older age (Unit-OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.02-1.07; p = 0.0014). Even in univariate, patient-level analyses, antipsychotic formulation was not related to death (oral antipsychotic (OAP): n = 39/554 (7.0%) vs. long-acting injectable (LAI): n = 13/129 (10.1%); p = 0.2413). Similarly, death with NMS was not related to antipsychotic class (first-generation antipsychotic: n = 38/433 (8.8%) vs. second-generation antipsychotic: n = 8/180 (4.4%); p = 0.0638). Non-antipsychotic co-treatments were not associated with NMS mortality.

CONCLUSION

Despite reliance on case reports, these findings indicate that presence of respiratory alterations, severity of hyperthermia, and older age should alert clinicians to a higher NMS mortality risk, and that antipsychotics should be stopped to reduce mortality, yet when NMS arises on LAIs, mortality is not increased vs. OAPs.

Risk Factors, Incidence, and Outcomes of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome on Long-Acting Injectable vs Oral Antipsychotics in a Nationwide Schizophrenia Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are associated with multiple positive outcomes in psychosis, but it is unclear whether LAIs are associated with worse outcomes if neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a potentially lethal adverse effect, occurs.

METHODS

We used nationwide and nationally representative databases of healthcare encounters in Finland to study the incidence and outcome predictors of NMS in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder between January 01, 1972 and December 31, 2017. Using a nested case-control design, we also explored differences by antipsychotic formulation (LAI vs oral antipsychotic [OAP]) and class (first-generation antipsychotic [FGA] vs second-generation antipsychotic [SGA]).

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-two NMS cases and 1441 sex-, age-, and diagnosis-matched controls were included (age = 58.8 ± 13.1 years, males = 59.9%). Incidence of NMS was 1.99 (1.98-2.00) per 10 000 person-years. The likelihood of developing NMS did not differ by antipsychotic formulation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.89, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 0.59-1.33, for LAIs vs OAPs) or class (FGA-OAP vs SGA-OAP [aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.66-1.76], FGA-LAI [aOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.52-1.53], SGA-LAI [aOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.58-3.12]). NMS risk factors included antipsychotic treatment change: increased number (odds ratios [OR]: 5.00, 95% CI: 2.56-9.73); decreased number/switch (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.19-4.96); higher antipsychotic dose (>2DDDs-OR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.61-6.18); co-treatment with anticholinergics (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.57-3.24), lithium (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.30-3.58), benzodiazepines (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.44-3.58); and comorbid cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22-2.45). Within 30 days, 4.7% of cases with NMS died (15.1% within 1 year) without differences by antipsychotic formulation. NMS reoccurred in 5 of 119 subjects (4.2%), after a median = 795 (range = 77-839) days after rechallenge with antipsychotics.

CONCLUSION

NMS remains a potentially life-threatening risk, yet these results should further contribute to mitigate concerns about LAI safety regarding NMS onset or outcomes, including mortality.

Oral Versus Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Treatment for People With Severe Schizophrenia: A 5-Year Follow-up of Effectiveness

ABSTRACT

The objective here is to compare the effectiveness of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-APs) and oral ones (OAPs) in patients with severe (Global Clinical Impression-Severity ≥ 5) schizophrenia (N = 688). A 5-year follow-up study has been conducted in patients undergoing standard treatment in mental health units (MHUs) or on a severe mental illness program (SMIP). A total of 8.7% of the patients on the SMIP discontinued treatment, whereas 43.6% did so in MHUs (p < 0.0001). In both cases, treatment retention was significantly higher in patients on LAI-APs (p < 0.001). Also, hospital admissions were in both cases fewer among those on LAI-APs (p < 0.001). There was a significant link between suicide attempts and OAP treatment (p < 0.01). Given the relationship between the use of LAI-APs versus oral treatments in achieving higher adherence and less relapses and suicide attempts, the use of second-generation antipsychotics LAIs should be considered more suitable for people with severe schizophrenia.

Current and emerging long-acting antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia

Introduction: In this review, the authors discuss the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia, focusing on the effectiveness and new perspectives introduced by such treatment strategy. Despite their promising pharmacokinetic features and their potential advantages in medication adherence, clinical outcomes, and medical costs, LAIs are not habitually presented as an option for patients, especially in the early phase of schizophrenia.Areas covered: This review explores the panorama of available LAIs for the treatment of schizophrenia, first-episode of psychosis, approved indications, medical costs, medication adherence, side effects, effectiveness and differences between first-generation (FGA)-LAIs and second-generation (SGA)-LAIs.Expert Opinion: LAIs differ in terms of specific indications, approved injection sites, needle size, injection volume, injection interval as well as potential drug-drug interactions, and commonly reported adverse reactions. The approved indications have expanded beyond schizophrenia to include bipolar and schizoaffective disorder. SGA-LAIs are often preferred to FGA-LAIs. FGA-LAIs although are less chosen in new patients due to the induction of cognitive and extrapyramidal side effects, even if, on the other hand, many SGA-LAIs are burden by hyperprolactinemia and weight gain. After a review of the available evidence, insight is provided into the potential and current therapeutic opportunities offered by LAI antipsychotic formulations.

Predictors of persistence in patients with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole once-monthly long-acting injection in the Spanish clinical practice: a retrospective, observational study

Background

Poor adherence to antipsychotic drugs is a major problem in schizophrenia management and one of the most important risk factors for relapse and hospitalization. To date, there is little evidence on persistence predictors with long-acting injectable antipsychotics, especially with aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM). This study (NCT03130478) aimed to describe the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics on persistence with AOM treatment in real-world setting.

Methods

This was an observational, retrospective, non-interventional study that included adult patients with schizophrenia who were initiated on AOM during a schizophrenia-related hospitalization. Data were retrospectively collected from patients’ medical records. The primary variable was persistence with AOM, measured as the number of days from AOM initiation up to all-cause AOM discontinuation during the first six months after treatment index.

Results

140 patients were enrolled and 91 fulfilled the selection criteria. Six months after AOM initiation, 65 (71.4%) patients were still receiving AOM treatment, whereas 26 (28.6%) were not. The mean (standard deviation) time to AOM treatment discontinuation in the first six months was 138.1 (6.8) days, with most of the patients discontinuing at the first 28 days. The risk of AOM discontinuation in the first six months increases 1.05-fold annually since schizophrenia diagnosis (p=0.003); moreover, this risk increases 2.86-fold in patients with concomitant schizophrenia medication at AOM initiation compared to patients without concomitant schizophrenia treatments (p=0.02).

Conclusions

Main factors predicting persistence with AOM treatment at six months in clinical practice are fewer years since schizophrenia diagnosis and not receiving concomitant schizophrenia treatments at AOM initiation.

Paliperidone 3-Month Injection for Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

Given the typical age onset of schizophrenia, there are tremendous economic and social impacts that extend beyond the person and their families. One critical determinant of the diseases' impact is the patient's adherence to antipsychotic drug treatment. Approved in 2015 for the treatment of schizophrenia, paliperidone palmitate (Invega Trinza, a 3-month injection, noted as PP3M) is a second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication. Among the different formulations offered for palmitate paliperidone, including the 1 and 3-month formulations, the longer duration 3-month formulation was better at preventing relapse in schizophrenic patients. To date, different formulations of palmitate paliperidone that have been studied on relapse episodes of schizophrenia include once-daily extended-release oral paliperidone (ORAL paliperidone), once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M), and once-every-3-months paliperidone palmitate (PP3M). Post-hoc analyses show that patients who were withdrawn from PP1M paliperidone had the least risk of relapse, followed by patients withdrawn from PP3M and patients withdrawn from ORAL paliperidone. PP3M was better at preventing relapse compared to ORAL paliperidone. The results demonstrated that 50% of patients who were withdrawn from ORAL paliperidone, PP1M, or PP3M remained relapse-free for ~2, 6, and 13 months, respectively. Compared to PP1M, PP3M is just as safe and effective and has the added advantage of increased adherence related to a longer dose interval, decreasing the risk of relapse.

Association between discontinuation due to withdrawal of consent and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics: A meta-analysis of randomized trials for schizophrenia

We investigated the association between discontinuation due to withdrawal of consent (DWC) in schizophrenia trials and the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-APs). In two categorical meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, we compared DWC: individual and pooled LAI-APs vs. (1) placebo and (2) oral antipsychotics (OAPs). We also performed conducted a single-group meta-analysis to calculate the average DWC and a meta-regression analysis to examine the association between the results of the meta-analyses and factors related to study design, treatment, and patients. We identified 52 studies (total adult patients = 18,675, LAI-APs = 12,613, placebo = 2,083, and OAPs = 3,979; median study duration = 32 weeks). DWC was higher for LAI-aripiprazole than for the placebo [risk ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.70 (1.23-2.39)]. Neither pooled nor individual LAI-APs differed from the placebo for fluphenazine, olanzapine, paliperidone, and risperidone or from the OAPs for aripiprazole, fluphenazine, haloperidol, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone, and zuclopenthixol. The average DWC of each LAI-AP was as follows: LAI-aripiprazole = 10.98%, LAI-fluphenazine = 7.65%, LAI-flupenthixol = 3.33%, LAI-haloperidol = 6.71%, LAI-olanzapine = 10.50%, LAI-paliperidone = 10.38%, LAI-perphenazine = 7.06%, LAI-risperidone = 10.39%, LAI-zuclopenthixol = 4.45%, pooled LAI-APs = 9.88%, and placebo = 11.17%. Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that publication year (β = 0.02), percentage of males (β = 0.02), and mean age (β = 0.05) were associated with an average DWC for pooled LAI-APs. Study duration (β = -0.03), percentage of males (β = 0.08), and patient status (β = -0.85) were associated with an average DWC for LAI-aripiprazole. Presence of a placebo arm (β = 1.60) was associated with an average DWC for LAI-fluphenazine. LAI-AP use was unlikely to be associated with DWC. Although the LAI-aripiprazole had a higher DWC than did the placebo, its average DWC was similar to other those of LAI-APs.

Preliminary efficacy and tolerability profiles of first versus second-generation Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of second generation (SG) long-acting antipsychotics (LAIAs) versus first generation (FG) LAIAs in schizophrenia. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO until May 2019. Inclusion criteria for randomized trials included: (1) patients ≥18 years with schizophrenia, (2) efficacy evaluated through the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), (3) safety assessment through clinimetry, laboratory analysis, somatometry or adverse events, and (4) treatment duration ≥12 weeks. Data was synthesized using mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes using a random-effect model. Of 1872 citations, 17 trials were included, and direct comparisons of SG vs FG-LAIAs were observed in 3 (n = 459). SG and FG-LAIAs had similar effects on PANSS scores (MD -1.35; 95% CI -8.33-5.64), tardive dyskinesia (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.47-2.07), all-cause discontinuation (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.75-1.36), discontinuation due to inadequate efficacy (RR 1.13; 95% CI 0.81-1.59) or adverse events (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.55-2.11). SG-LAIAs reduced the risk of using antiparkinsonian drugs (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.54-0.76) but significantly increased serum prolactin, weight and BMI. For long-term management, depot preparations of paliperidone, haloperidol, risperidone and fluphenazine were equally effective at symptom control and adherence, with significant differences in their safety profiles. These results however are considerably limited due to the small number of included studies and are therefore preliminary, not generalizable. More clinical trials are required to obtain a broader perspective of SG-LAIAs compared to FG-LAIAs.

Suicide attempts in people with schizophrenia before and after participating in an intensive case managed community program: A 20-year follow-up

Lack of treatment compliance in patients with schizophrenia is a risk factor that leads to illness-relapse, hospitalization and potentially strengthens suicidal behavior. The purpose of this investigation was to assess treatment adherence, reasons for treatment discharge, suicidal behaviour and impact of route of antipsychotics administration in a group of patients with schizophrenia treated in a comprehensive, community-based, intensive case managed program for people with severe mental illness. And to compare it to previous standard treatment received in mental health units (MHU). An observational, longitudinal, mirror-image study of patients with severe schizophrenia (N = 344) was carried out: ten years of follow-up (Program) and ten years retrospective (MHU). Reasons for treatment discharge, suicide attempts and antipsychotic (AP) medication were recorded. Treatment adherence during the Program was higher than in MHU (abandonment of treatment: 12.2% vs. 84.3% of patients). Forty patients died during follow-up, five of them due to suicide. Suicidal attempts significantly decreased during Program treatment compared to the standard one (7.6% vs. 38.9% of patients). Long-acting injectable (LAI) AP medication was significantly related to this outcome. A combination of intensive case-managed and LAIAP treatment helped to improve compliance and to reduce suicidal behavior compared to standard treatment in patients with severe schizophrenia.

Long-Acting Injections in Schizophrenia: a 3-Year Update on Randomized Controlled Trials Published January 2016-March 2019

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study was conducted in order to review randomized controlled trial (RCT) data published January 2016-March 2019 on long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Thirty-one RCTs (primary studies = 7; post hoc analyses = 24; n = 4738) compared LAIs vs. placebo (studies = 11, n = 1875), LAIs vs. oral antipsychotics (OAPs) (studies = 7, n = 658), and LAI vs. LAI (studies = 13, n = 2205). LAIs included two new formulations, aripiprazole lauroxil nanocrystal dispersion and subcutaneously injectable risperidone Perseris, as well as aripiprazole lauroxil, aripiprazole once-monthly, paliperidone once-monthly, paliperidone 3-monthly, and risperidone-LAI. Regarding prevention of relapse and hospitalization, LAIs consistently outperformed placebo, being partly superior to OAPs, without relevant LAI-LAI differences. LAIs were comparable to OAPs regarding all-cause discontinuation, functioning, quality of life, and tolerability, being associated with higher patient satisfaction and service engagement. Recent meta-analyses yielded mixed results, but never favoring OAPs over LAIs. In RCTs, LAIs are superior to placebo, but only in some aspects, superior to OAPs. Comparative effectiveness of LAIs vs. OAPs requires further study, ideally in generalizable/real-world samples.

Suicide in Schizophrenia: An Educational Overview

Suicide is an important public health problem. The most frequent psychiatric illnesses associated with suicide or severe suicide attempt are mood and psychotic disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide an educational overview of suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. A lifetime suicide rate in individuals with schizophrenia is approximately 10%. Suicide is the largest contributor to the decreased life expectancy in individuals with schizophrenia. Demographic and psychosocial factors that increase a risk of suicide in individuals with schizophrenia include younger age, being male, being unmarried, living alone, being unemployed, being intelligent, being well-educated, good premorbid adjustment or functioning, having high personal expectations and hopes, having an understanding that life’s expectations and hopes are not likely to be met, having had recent (i.e., within past 3 months) life events, having poor work functioning, and having access to lethal means, such as firearms. Throughout the first decade of their disorder, patients with schizophrenia are at substantially elevated suicide risk, although they continue to be at elevated suicide risk during their lives with times of worsening or improvement. Having awareness of symptoms, especially, awareness of delusions, anhedonia, asociality, and blunted affect, having a negative feeling about, or non-adherence with, treatment are associated with greater suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia. Comorbid depression and a history of suicidal behavior are important contributors to suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia. The only reliable protective factor for suicide in patients with schizophrenia is provision of and compliance with comprehensive treatment. Prevention of suicidal behavior in schizophrenia should include recognizing patients at risk, delivering the best possible therapy for psychotic symptoms, and managing comorbid depression and substance misuse.

Clinical relevance of paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly in treating schizophrenia

Antipsychotics are the mainstay in schizophrenia management, and long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics contribute to the successful maintenance of treatment by improving non-adherence and preventing relapses. Paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) formulation is the only available LAI antipsychotic that offers an extended 3-month window of stable plasma drug concentration, enabling only four injections per year. This paper summarizes clinically relevant endpoints from available evidence for PP3M to bridge translational research gaps and provide measurable outcomes that can be interpreted in clinical practice. Low number-needed-to-treat (NNT) for relapse prevention (NNT [95% CI] 6-month estimate: 4.8 [3.2; 10.0]; 12-month estimate: 3.4 [2.2; 7.0]), and high number-needed-to-harm (NNH [95% CI] akathisia, 27.1 [12.3; -667.1]; tremor, 80.0 [22.5; 67.3]; dyskinesia, -132.6 [44.5; -23.2]; parkinsonism, 160.0 [28.9; -49.8]) quantify the relative benefits and low propensity for adverse events with PP3M. Symptom remission and reductions in positive and negative symptoms indicate treatment stability. Additionally, meaningful functional remission, reduced dosing frequency, and freedom from daily negotiations favorably impact patient preference and attenuate burdensome aspects of caregiving, representing important healthcare determinants that enhance prospects of treatment continuity in schizophrenia. This information can potentially improve clinicians' judgment of treatment choices, clinical response, and patient selection in routine care. Taken together, PP3M is a valuable antipsychotic treatment option, meriting consideration for a broader role in the long-term management of schizophrenia; its utility should not be limited to patients with poor adherence or when oral antipsychotics have failed.

The role of prediction in suicide prevention

It is widely believed that suicide prevention involves the consideration of risk and protective factors and related interventions. Preventative interventions can be classified as “universal” (targeting whole populations), “selective” (targeting higher-risk groups), and “indicated” (protecting individuals). This review explores the range of preventative measures that might be used commensurately with different types of suicide prediction. The author concludes that the best prospects for suicide prevention lie in universal prevention strategies. While risk assessments do generate some information about future suicide, suicide risk categorization results in an unacceptably high false positive rate, misses many fatalities, and therefore, is unable to usefully guide prevention strategies. The assessment of suicidal patients should focus on contemporaneous factors and the needs of the patient, rather than probabilistic notions of suicide risk.

Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of outpatient follow-up frequency in relation to three-year mortality in discharged patients with bipolar disorder

There is a lack of clarity in terms of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility comparisons across different outpatient (OPD) follow-up patterns in discharged patients with bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, adult patients hospitalised for BD treatment (n = 1,591) were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. With survival as the effectiveness measure and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as the utility measure, a cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis was conducted over the 3-year follow-up period by post-discharge frequency of OPD visits. Compared to those making 1-7, 8-12 and 18 or more OPD visits, BD patients making 13-17 OPD visits within the first year after discharge had the lowest psychiatric and total healthcare costs over the follow-up period. With survival status as the effectiveness outcome, making 13-17 OPD visits was more likely to be the cost-effective option, as revealed by incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Cost-utility analysis demonstrated that having 13-17 OPD visits was probably the more cost-effective option when considering QALYs; for instance, if society was willing to pay NTD1.5 million for one additional QALY, there was a 75.2% (psychiatric costs) to 77.4% (total costs) likelihood that 13-17 OPD visits was the most cost-effective option. In conclusion, post-discharge OPD appointments with a frequency of 13-17 visits within the first year were associated with lower psychiatric and total healthcare costs in the subsequent 3 years. Having an adequate outpatient follow-up frequency was likely to be cost-effective in the management of discharged patients with BD in this real-world setting.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Long-acting Injectable and Oral Second-generation Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable (LAI) and oral second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in treating schizophrenia by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, as well as five Korean databases, were systemically searched to identify studies published from 2000 to 16 April 2015, which compared the efficacy and safety of LAI and oral SGAs. Using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses were conducted. In addition, the GRADE (the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was applied to explicitly assess the quality of the evidence. A total of 30 studies including 17 RCTs and 13 observational studies were selected. The group treated with LAI SGAs was characterized by significantly lower relapse rates, longer times to relapse and fewer hospital days, but also by a higher occurrence of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms than that in the group treated with oral SGAs. Our findings demonstrate that there is moderate to high level of evidence suggesting that in the treatment of schizophrenia, LAI SGAs have higher efficacy and are associated with higher rates of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms. Additionally, the use of LAI SGAs should be combined with appropriate measures to reduce dopamine D₂ antagonism-related symptoms.

Second-generation antipsychotic drugs and short-term mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Acutely occurring, life-threatening side-effects of antipsychotic drugs might contribute to the reduced life expectancy observed in patients with severe mental disorders. We aimed to assess this hypothesis by doing a systematic review and meta-analysis of deaths occurring in placebo-controlled trials of antipsychotic drugs.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we included randomised controlled trials comparing second-generation antipsychotics with placebo across several diagnostic categories. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, BIOSIS, PsycINFO, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP from inception (the last search was done on Jan 21, 2017), and contacted pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities for further eligible trials. We examined mortality from any cause (the primary outcome) and mortality from natural causes, suicide, and other non-natural causes. We synthesised the results with odds ratios (ORs) in a common-effects meta-analysis. We investigated the effects of age, diagnostic category, sex, study duration, antipsychotic drug used, drug dose, and polypharmacy in subgroup and meta-regression analyses. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016033930.

FINDINGS

We identified 596 randomised controlled trials published between 1978 and 2017, comprising 108 747 participants. 352 studies (comprising 84 988 participants) with mortality data available constituted the main dataset for our meta-analysis. 207 (0·4%) deaths were reported in 53 804 patients on an antipsychotic drug and 99 (0·3%) deaths in 31 184 patients on placebo. 300 (85%) of 352 trials were 13 weeks (3 months) or shorter in duration (median 6 weeks; IQR 4-10). We found no evidence of a difference between antipsychotic drugs and placebo in mortality by any cause (OR 1·19; 95% CI 0·93-1·53), from natural causes (1·29; 0·85-1·94), from suicide (1·15; 0·47-2·81), and from other non-natural causes (1·55; 0·66-3·63). Most subgroup and meta-regression analyses did not indicate any important effect moderators. The exceptions were increased mortality in patients with dementia (OR 1·56; 95% CI 1·10-2·21), in elderly patients (1·38; 1·01-1·89), in aripiprazole-treated patients (2·20; 1·00-4·86), and in studies with a higher proportion of women (regression coefficient 0·025; 95% credible interval 0·010-0·040). However, the effects in elderly patients, aripiprazole-treated patients, and women were mainly based on the included dementia trials. For patients with schizophrenia there was no evidence of an increased mortality risk (OR 0·69; 95% CI 0·35-1·35).

INTERPRETATION

Overall, and for the main indication of schizophrenia, there is no evidence from randomised trials that antipsychotic drugs increase mortality. However, vulnerable populations (particularly patients with dementia) might be at increased risk. This meta-analysis could only address acute treatment effects leading to death in the short-term, and not long-term effects of antipsychotic drugs on mortality.

FUNDING

German Ministry of Education and Research.

Practical guide to the meta-analysis of rare events

OBJECTIVE

Meta-analysing studies with low event rates is challenging as some of the standard methods for meta-analysis are not well suited to handle rare outcomes. This is more evident when some studies have zero events in one or both treatment groups. In this article, we discuss why rare events require special attention in meta-analysis, we present an overview of some approaches suitable for meta-analysing rare events and we provide practical recommendations for their use.

METHODS

We go through several models suggested in the literature for performing a rare events meta-analysis, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. We illustrate these models using a published example from mental health. We provide the software code needed to perform all analyses in the appendix.

RESULTS

Different methods may give different results, and using a suboptimal approach may lead to erroneous conclusions. When data are very sparse, the choice between the available methods may have a large impact on the results. Methods that use the so-called continuity correction (eg, adding 0.5 to the number of events and non-events in studies with zero events in one treatment group) may lead to biased estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Researchers should define the primary analysis a priori, in order to avoid selective reporting. A sensitivity analysis using a range of methods should be used to assess the robustness of results. Suboptimal methods such as using a continuity correction should be avoided.

Effects of Continuing Oral Risperidone vs. Switching from Risperidone to Risperidone Long-Acting Injection on Cognitive Function in Stable Schizophrenia Patients: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Risperidone is the first new generation antipsychotic drug to become available as a long-acting injection (LAI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of switching from oral risperidone to risperidone LAI (RLAI) on cognitive function in stable schizophrenia patients compared with the effects of continuing oral risperidone.

METHODS

Sixteen stable patients who had received risperidone monotherapy for at least 3 months were enrolled (the RLAI group). Before and 24 weeks after switching to RLAI, the Japanese-language version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS-J) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered. To exclude the possibility of learning effects on the BACS-J results, 14 patients with stable schizophrenia who continued oral risperidone treatment were also assessed (the RIS group).

RESULTS

The two groups did not differ with respect to changes in the PANSS score, and no emergent side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms, were observed. The BACS-J score for verbal memory exhibited greater improvement in the RLAI group than in the RIS group (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

The results of this preliminary study suggest that switching from oral risperidone to RLAI may improve verbal capability more than continuing with oral risperidone. However, these findings must be replicated in a larger, double-blind study.

Improving outcomes of first-episode psychosis: an overview

Outcomes of psychotic disorders are associated with high personal, familiar, societal and clinical burden. There is thus an urgent clinical and societal need for improving those outcomes. Recent advances in research knowledge have opened new opportunities for ameliorating outcomes of psychosis during its early clinical stages. This paper critically reviews these opportunities, summarizing the state-of-the-art knowledge and focusing on recent discoveries and future avenues for first episode research and clinical interventions. Candidate targets for primary universal prevention of psychosis at the population level are discussed. Potentials offered by primary selective prevention in asymptomatic subgroups (stage 0) are presented. Achievements of primary selected prevention in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (stage 1) are summarized, along with challenges and limitations of its implementation in clinical practice. Early intervention and secondary prevention strategies at the time of a first episode of psychosis (stage 2) are critically discussed, with a particular focus on minimizing the duration of untreated psychosis, improving treatment response, increasing patients' satisfaction with treatment, reducing illicit substance abuse and preventing relapses. Early intervention and tertiary prevention strategies at the time of an incomplete recovery (stage 3) are further discussed, in particular with respect to addressing treatment resistance, improving well-being and social skills with reduction of burden on the family, treatment of comorbid substance use, and prevention of multiple relapses and disease progression. In conclusion, to improve outcomes of a complex, heterogeneous syndrome such as psychosis, it is necessary to globally adopt complex models integrating a clinical staging framework and coordinated specialty care programmes that offer pre-emptive interventions to high-risk groups identified across the early stages of the disorder. Only a systematic implementation of these models of care in the national health care systems will render these strategies accessible to the 23 million people worldwide suffering from the most severe psychiatric disorders.

The Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mostly chronic mental disorder, and symptomatic relapse is frequently observed. It is often associated with social and/or occupational decline that can be difficult to reverse. Most patients with the illness need long-term pharmacological treatment, and antipsychotic drugs represent the mainstay of clinical care. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are an important alternative to oral medication, particularly advantageous in the context of compliance management. Several new-generation antipsychotics (NGAs), including risperidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, and aripiprazole, have become available as long-acting formulations, and new evidence has been accumulating. To date, all of the NGA LAIs have demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant decrease of relapse rates over placebo. The results of clinical trials comparing NGA LAIs with oral antipsychotics (OAPs) are not consistent, as being influenced considerably by study design. Superiority of LAIs to OAPs in efficacy is most evident in mirror image and cohort studies. New-generation LAIs are comparable to their oral mother compounds regarding safety and tolerability if one disregards potential injection site complications. There is little evidence of efficacy differences between the available LAIs, but they have different characteristics in terms of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles, injection interval, cost, requirements for oral supplementation, as well as adverse events. Considering these differences is useful for selecting LAIs for the treatment of individual patients. There is increasing evidence suggesting the use of LAIs in special patient groups, such as first-episode or forensic schizophrenia patients. This article reviews data on the use of NGA LAIs in schizophrenia and discusses current issues from clinical and methodological perspectives.