Health resource utilization associated with switching to risperidone long-acting injection.
OBJECTIVE
Studies have shown oral risperidone and conventional depot antipsychotics decrease direct healthcare costs largely by reducing hospitalization. Our aim was to assess the effect on bed stay of risperidone injection prescribed in normal clinical practice.


METHODS
Patients prescribed risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) were identified and followed-up for 1 year. Resource use data were collected for 3 years before and for 1 year after the initiation of RLAI. The main outcome measure was bed stay before and after the prescription of RLAI.


RESULTS
Outcome data were available for 250 subjects. Eighty-one subjects (32.4%) completed 1 year's treatment. Days spent in hospital increased from (mean number/patient) 31 in year -3 to 44 in year -2 to 90 in year -1 to 141 in year +1. Direct healthcare costs increased accordingly. Outcome for RLAI continuers was similar to that of discontinuers.


CONCLUSIONS
Switching to RLAI was associated with a continuation of the trend for increased bed stay and use of healthcare resources.
Young
C L
CL
Pharmacy Department, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK.
Taylor
D M
DM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone