Does oral antipsychotic pre-treatment influence outcome of a switch to long-acting injectable risperidone in patients with schizophrenia?
BACKGROUND
The objective of this open-label study was to evaluate treatment benefits of risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI) in patients with schizophrenia following direct transition from oral risperidone (RIS) compared with transition from other oral second generation antipsychotics.


METHODS
Stable in- or outpatients (n=206) receiving RIS or OQAZ (olanzapine, quetiapine, amisulpride, ziprasidone) were transitioned to RLAI for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the between-group treatment difference in change in PANSS total score from baseline to endpoint. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality-of-life and therapeutic alliance.


RESULTS
Mean between-group difference in the change in PANSS total score from baseline to endpoint was -6.1 (CI: -17.6, 5.4), suggesting greater improvement in OQAZ than RIS patients. Due to the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of 5.1, it could not be concluded that OQAZ pre-treatment results in an at least non-inferior PANSS reduction versus RIS pre-treatment. Patient satisfaction with medication and change in quality-of-life subscores showed advantages for OQAZ patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to RIS pre-treatment, clinically stable patients with schizophrenia who are pre-treated with OQAZ might draw a stronger clinical benefit from direct transition to RLAI.
Department of Psychiatry, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, Germany.
M
M
Schmauss
B
B
Diekamp
M
M
Gerwe
A
A
Schreiner
B
B
Ibach
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone