title: Long acting risperidone in Australian patients with chronic schizophrenia: 24-month data from the e-STAR database.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This observational study was designed to collect treatment outcomes data in patients using the electronic Schizophrenia Treatment Adherence Registry (e-STAR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Australia who were prescribed risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) between 2003 and 2007 were assessed 12-months retrospectively, at baseline and 24-months prospectively at 3-monthly intervals. The intent-to-treat population, defined as all patients who received at least one dose of RLAI at baseline, was used for the efficacy and safety analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At total of 784 patients (74% with schizophrenia, 69.8% male) with a mean age of 37.1 ± 12.5 years and 10.6 ± 9.5 years since diagnosis were included in this Australian cohort. A significant improvement in mean Clinical Global Impression - severity score was observed at 24-months (4.52 ± 1.04 at baseline, 3.56 ± 1.10 at 24-months). Most of this improvement was seen by 3-months and was also reflected in mean Global Assessment of Functioning score, which improved significantly at 24-months (42.9 ± 14.5 at baseline, 59 ± 15.4 at 24-months). For patients still receiving RLAI at 24-months there was an increase from a mean baseline RLAI dose of 26.4 ± 5 mg to 43.4 ± 15.7 mg. Sixty-six percent of patients discontinued RLAI before the 24-month period--this decreased to 46% once patients lost to follow-up were excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over the 24-month period, initiation of RLAI was associated with improved patient functioning and illness severity in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Improved outcomes were observed early and sustained throughout the study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical Trials Registration Number, NCT00283517.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. tim.lambert@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emmerson
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hustig
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Resseler
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Butcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012042:Registries; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone