title: [The significance of depot medication in the long-term-treatment of schizophrenia].
abstract: Relapse prevention in schizophrenia is a key aim in therapy. However, it is estimated that approximately 75% of patients with schizophrenia relapse within five years. Each relapse might worsen the disease and increase the risk of psychosocial and work-related disadvantages. A continuous long-term therapy is able to reduce this risk, but medical non-adherence, which is influenced by numerous factors, is a limitation. Naturalistic studies show that depot-antipsychotics compared with oral antipsychotics lead consistently to a better outcome, for example by reducing relapse rates or hospitalisation. Numerous meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials comparing oral versus depot-antipsychotics also show this advantages. However these results are not consistent in all meta-analyses. Results of controlled studies do not appropriately reflect the reality of daily practice. The advantages of depot-antipsychotics are shown more distinctly in naturalistic studies. The following review reflects the current therapy of schizophrenia and discusses adequately a broad application of depot-antipsychotics based on existing data. In addition, concerns and prejudices of physicians and patients against antipsychotic long-term therapy and depot-formulation are discussed and a recommendation is provided.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes.
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Kühn
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiedemann
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hellweg
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Möller
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations