title: Influence of antipsychotic treatment type and regimen on the functionality of patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enhanced functionality is a major goal in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, possible differences in the effectiveness of first- vs. second-generation antipsychotics or between depot/long-acting injectable (D/LAI) vs. D/LAI plus oral antipsychotics are not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate possible differences between the effects of different antipsychotic treatment types or regimens on the functionality of patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  85 outpatients with schizophrenia, who were being treated with D/LAI antipsychotics--co-administered or not with oral antipsychotics--and had been adherent to the treatment during the previous year were evaluated. Socio-demographic, clinical, treatment-related, global severity and functionality variables were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to the type of antipsychotic drug (first- vs. second-generation) or according to the co-administration (or not) of oral antipsychotics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found between first- and second-generation antipsychotics in terms of global functionality. Patients treated with LAI risperidone showed better global functionality and better performance in their habitual social activities and personal-social relationships than patients treated with risperidone plus oral second-generation antipsychotics. Better functionality was also found to be associated with higher education level, paranoid subtype of schizophrenia, harmful use of nicotine, adherence to oral treatment and absence of concomitant oral anticholinergic or psychopharmacological treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that D/LAI antipsychotic treatments should be administered in monotherapy whenever possible and that the treatment schedule should be simple, in order to achieve better functionality.
authors.affiliation: Francisco J. Acosta, Mental Health Research Program, Service of Mental Health, General Health Care Programs Direction, Canary Health Service , Gran Canaria , Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chinea
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Bello
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nieves
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018967:Risperidone