title: Comparison of time to rehospitalization among schizophrenic patients discharged on typical antipsychotics, clozapine or risperidone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to compare the time to rehospitalization of schizophrenic patients who were discharged from a psychiatric hospital while being treated with typical antipsychotics, clozapine or risperidone. We also assessed other possible predictors of time to rehospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study monitored the rehospitalization status of all the schizophrenic patients who were discharged from a psychiatric hospital between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002 while they were taking typical antipsychotics (n=272), clozapine (n=61) or risperidone (n=49). Rehospitalizations were tracked over a 2-year period using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors associated with rehospitalization were examined by the Cox proportional hazards regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in time to rehospitalization were observed among the groups in the first or second year after discharge. Age at onset of schizophrenia was a risk factor for time to rehospitalization over the 1- and 2-year periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that atypical antipsychotics did not lengthen the time to rehospitalization. The earlier the age at onset of schizophrenia, the shorter is the time to rehospitalization. Some other factors thought to impact rehospitalization need to be further assayed.
authors.affiliation: Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC. chua.lin@msa.hinet.net
authors.forename: Ching-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shih-Chi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ming-Chao
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shing-Yaw
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010359:Patient Readmission; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone