title: Depot Typical Antipsychotics versus Oral Atypical Antipsychotics in Relapse Rate Among Patients with Schizophrenia: A Five -Year Historical Cohort Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to review the relapse rate in patients with schizophrenia treated with orally taken atypical agents (serotonin dopamine antagonists, SDAs) and depot preparation of conventional (typical) antipsychotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this historical cohort study, mean relapse per month (MRM) index, duration between initiation of antipsychotic treatment and the first relapse episode, and the time gap between successive relapses were compared between 84 patients on SDAs-except clozapine (group 1) and 81 others on depot typical antipsychotics (group 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were comparable regarding mean (±SD) MRM index [0.033 (±0.004) in group1 and 0.044 (±0.05) in group 2; p = 0.345]. Mean (±SD) duration of time between initiation of maintenance treatment and the first relapse was 15.5 (±13.67) months in group 1 and 16.40 (±15.31) months in group 2, (p = 0.876). Mean (±SD) duration of remission periods between successive relapses were 17.92 (±14.2) and 15.8 (±16.9) months for group 1 and group 2, respectively (Mann-Whitney test, (p = 0.048).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orally taken atypical antipsychotics were able to keep the duration of remission periods between successive relapses more prolonged compared to depot conventional preparations. This could be added to their other remarkable benefits especially if the patient is expected to experience multiple relapses.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Psychiatry Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid-Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ahmadkhaniha
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bani-Hashem
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Psychiatry Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadzad-Asl
keywords: Antipsychotic Agents; Dopamine Receptor Antagonists; Long-Acting Drugs; Schizophrenia; Serotonin Dopamine Antagonists