Physician Characteristics Associated With Prescription of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

[Long-acting antipsychotics: The QAAPAPLE algorithm review]

BACKGROUND

Eight years ago, a committee of experts from 4 Quebec university psychiatry departments has provided the QAAPAPLE algorithm in order to guide clinicians in their use of long-acting antipsychotics (LAAP) for patients with psychotic disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Update the QAAPAPLE algorithm.

METHODS

Using a qualitative and selective literature review, the experts have focused on several aspects related to the use of LAAP and the relevance of modifying the algorithm: 1) new data on LAAP (including polypharmacy and co-prescription with clozapine, dose frequency/interval); 2) perception and attitude regarding algorithms and evidence; 3) difficulties in implementing algorithms; 4) polypharmacy involving LAAP and co-prescriptions with clozapine; 5) partner patients perspective on the algorithm.

RESULTS

Thirteen meta-analysis were published and completed observational studies (including those on national registries), confirming the LAAP benefits. Literature adds specifications about using some drug associations as well as dose frequency and interval. Therefore, scientific advances have been considered to modify the algorithm.

CONCLUSION

Interacting with Quebec psychiatrists, we have examined changes in prescription and literature to better understand the use of algorithm. The committee has updated the QAAPAPLE algorithm to guide clinicians in using LAAP along the path of patients with psychosis as early as the first episode and through different clinical settings (including treatment resistance) in order to have a more flexible and user-friendly treatment.

Real-world effectiveness of long-acting antipsychotic treatments in a nationwide cohort of 3957 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and other diagnoses in Quebec

BACKGROUND

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-AP) for patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) have saved significant healthcare costs. However, the cost effectiveness of LAI-AP for patients with other mental disorders has yet to be established. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of early initiation of LAI-AP medications on healthcare resource utilization (HRU). Drawing on the Quebecois universal healthcare program (RAMQ), we conducted a nationwide prospective cohort study of LAI-AP under real-world conditions.

METHODS

This study was performed using a representative sample of patients newly treated with LAI-AP (n = 3957) who were covered by the Québec Health Insurance Plan. The index date was defined as the date of the first prescription for LAI-AP between 1 January 2008 and 31 March 2012. We collected (a) the demographics and patient characteristics; (b) the treatment characteristics index drug, speciality of the principal prescriber, prescriptions of LAI-AP; and (c) HRU and costs. Two comparisons were made between (a) non-SCZ users of LAI-AP and SCZ users of LAI-AP; and (b) patients with SCZ using first-generation antipsychotic LAI-AP (FGA-LAI) and second-generation antipsychotic LAI-AP (SGA-LAI).

RESULTS

In the people with SCZ group, 976 patients were on an SGA-LAI, and 1020 patients were on an FGA-LAI; 41.9% of all users were on risperidone LAI-AP during this period and 17.9% were on zuclopenthixol decanoate. The number of hospitalizations was reduced by half. Durations were also significantly reduced. The total healthcare cost savings for all users were C$29,876 per patient/per year. Younger patients tended to receive more SGA-LAI than FGA-LAI: 29% versus 13%. The percentage of general practitioners who prescribe LAI-AP is higher in the FGA-LAI group than in the SGA-LAI group: 19% versus 13%. For psychiatrist prescribers, it is the opposite: 86% (SGA-LAI) versus 79% (FGA-LAI). The concomitant use of oral antipsychotics (OAP) in the year following index date is higher in the FGA-LAI group: 75% versus 43%. The number of hospitalization days was reduced by 31.5 days in the FGA-LAI group and 38.8 days in the SGA-LAI group. Cost savings were of C$31,924 in the FGA-LAI group and of C$39,100 in the SGA-LAI group.

CONCLUSION

The initiation of LAI-AP saved significant costs to the province of Québec compared with the previous year. Initiation of a LAI-AP resulted in lower resource use. Higher medication costs were offset by lower inpatient and outpatient costs.