title: Long-acting risperidone in young adults with early schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment with long-acting injectable risperidone was evaluated in young adults likely to be in the early stages of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open-label 50-week trial included young adults (men aged 18-25 years and women aged 18-30 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six young adults received at least 1 injection of long-acting risperidone (25 or 50 mg) every two weeks; 64% of the patients completed the 50-week trial. A mode dose of 25 mg/14 days was received by 23 patients and 50 mg/14 days by 43 patients. Mean PANSS scores improved significantly from baseline at each time point, with 64% of the patients showing clinical improvement (>or=20% reduction in PANSS total scores) at endpoint. Patient-rated quality of life (SF-36 scores) improved and patients' attitudes toward the medication were positive (DAI scores). Severity of movement disorders (ESRS) and injection-site pain ratings were low throughout the trial. Results were similar in the population of other (older) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-acting risperidone was associated with clinical benefits in stable young adults with early schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness.
authors.affiliation: Princeton HealthCare System.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lasser
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bossie
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Julie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Locklear
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone