title: Remission in schizophrenia: Results from a 1-year study of long-acting risperidone injection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although treatment advances have improved outcomes in schizophrenia, definitions of remission and recovery are still evolving. Recently proposed criteria for remission (mild or less on multiple core-symptom ratings for at least 6 months) have been applied to a 1-year study of long-acting risperidone injection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 50-week, open-label trial, stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who received long-acting risperidone injection every 2 weeks were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Remission criteria for the PANSS were applied; global illness severity (Clinical Global Impressions) and patient-rated health status (36-Item Short-form Health Survey) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups were identified by initial remission status (excluding the time component). Although considered clinically "stable," 68.2% (394/578) did not meet the symptom-severity component of remission criteria at baseline. Following long-acting, injectable risperidone treatment, 20.8% (82) of nonremitted patients achieved symptom remission for at least 6 months, with significant decreases in mean PANSS total and cluster scores (P < 0.0001) and significantly improved patient-rated health status (P < 0.0001). Percentages rated as not ill, very mild, or mild increased from 39% to 88%. Among 31.8% (184/578) of patients meeting the symptom-severity component of remission criteria at baseline, 84.8% (156) maintained these criteria at endpoint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among previously "stable," nonremitted patients, many achieved symptom remission after long-acting, injectable risperidone treatment, with significant improvements in multiple symptom domains and patient-rated health status. These results warrant further study as these remission criteria may represent a meaningful clinical endpoint and an important step towards functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Global Medical Strategy, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Services, LLC, Raritan, NJ 08869, USA. rlasser@psmus.jnj.com
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lasser
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bossie
authors.forename: Georges M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gharabawi
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone