title: Baseline characteristics and initial treatment decisions for patients with schizophrenia at risk of treatment nonadherence.
abstract: In this year-long, prospective observational study, sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics were assessed in outpatients with schizophrenia from Australia, Mexico, Romania, and Taiwan who were switched from their primary oral antipsychotic to another oral or depot antipsychotic at study entry because of physician-perceived nonadherence risks. Patients (N = 406) rated their quality of life and functioning level as low. Few patients (10.6%, 43/406) were switched to depot antipsychotics, with country-specific differences (P < 0.001). Although illness severity was similar between subgroups, the depot switch subgroup had: a documented history of nonadherence (32.6% versus oral: 4.7%); recent alcohol (48.8% versus 23.2%; P < 0.001) or illicit drug use (16.3% versus 5.0%; P = 0.010); recent depot antipsychotic (20.7% versus 7.5%; P = 0.030) and mood stabilizer use (51.7% versus 26.3%; P = 0.008); poorer attitudes towards medication (P = 0.004); and poorer illness awareness (P = 0.041). Findings indicate that even when a risk of nonadherence has been identified, few patients with schizophrenia receive depot antipsychotics, despite being prime candidates for depot therapy. Findings suggest physicians may select depot therapy based on previous nonadherence, substance use, recent depot antipsychotic and mood stabilizer use, poor attitudes towards medications, and poor illness awareness.
authors.affiliation: Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd, West Ryde, NSW, Australia;
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelin
authors.forename: Alan Jm
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brnabic
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Raúl I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Escamilla
authors.forename: Liang-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chuo
authors.forename: Malina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simu
authors.forename: Wenyu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karagianis
authors.forename: Haya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ascher-Svanum