title: Resource utilization in patients with schizophrenia who initiated risperidone long-acting therapy: results from the Schizophrenia Outcomes Utilization Relapse and Clinical Evaluation (SOURCE).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder associated with increased hospital admissions and excessive utilization of outpatient services and long-term care. This analysis examined health care resource utilization from a 24-month observational study of patients with schizophrenia initiated on risperidone long-acting therapy (RLAT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Schizophrenia Outcomes Utilization Relapse and Clinical Evaluation (SOURCE) was a 24-month observational study designed to examine real-world treatment outcomes by prospectively following patients with schizophrenia initiated on RLAT. At baseline visit, prior hospitalization and ER visit dates were obtained for the previous 12 months and subsequent hospitalization visit dates were obtained at 3-month visits, if available. The health care resource utilization outcomes measures observed in this analysis were hospitalizations for any reason, psychiatric-related hospitalizations, and emergency room (ER) visits. Incidence density analysis was used to assess pre-event and postevent rates per person-year (PY).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary medical resource utilization analysis included 435 patients who had a baseline visit, ≥1 postbaseline visits after RLAT initiation, and valid hospitalization dates. The number of hospitalizations and ER visits per PY declined significantly (p < .0001) after initiation with RLAT. A 41% decrease (difference of -0.29 hospitalizations per PY [95% CI: -0.39 to -0.18] from baseline) in hospitalizations for any reason, a 56% decrease (a difference of -0.35 hospitalizations per PY [95% CI: -0.44 to -0.26] from baseline) in psychiatric-related hospitalizations, and a 40% decrease (-0.26 hospitalizations per PY [95% CI: -0.44 to -0.10] from baseline) in ER visits were observed after the baseline period. The percentage of psychiatric-related hospitalizations decreased significantly after RLAT initiation, and patients had fewer inpatient hospitalizations and ER visits (all p < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that treatment with RLAT may result in decreased hospitalizations for patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00246194.
authors: Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, Raritan, New Jersey, USA. ccrivera@its.jnj.com
authors: Concetta
authors: C
authors: Crivera
authors: Cherilyn
authors: C
authors: DeSouza
authors: Chris M
authors: CM
authors: Kozma
authors: Riad D
authors: RD
authors: Dirani
authors: Lian
authors: L
authors: Mao
authors: Wayne
authors: W
authors: Macfadden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone