title: Combining depot antipsychotic with an assertive monitoring programme for treating first-episode schizophrenia in a resource-constrained setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of depot antipsychotic (flupenthixol decanoate) combined with an assertive monitoring programme (AMP) in first-episode schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, non-comparative, longitudinal study conducted over 12 months assessing patient acceptance, adherence, outcome in domains of psychopathology, functionality and quality of life, and tolerability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 207 participants, 149 (72%) completed 12 months of treatment. Acceptance of and adherence to depot was good. Treatment response was achieved by 170 (82%) participants and remission by 124 (60%). Thirty-three (19%) responders relapsed and 10 (5%) participants met a priori criteria for treatment resistance. Treatment was generally well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination of depot antipsychotic with an AMP may be an effective and safe intervention in early phases of schizophrenia, and may be particularly suitable for resource-constrained settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Bonginkosi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chiliza
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ojagbemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluyomi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Esan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Asmal
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oosthuizen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Statistical Consultation, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oye
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gureje
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emsley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005475:Flupenthixol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; C007761:flupenthixol decanoate; D005475:Flupenthixol
keywords: antipsychotic; developing country; psychotic disorder; schizophrenia