title: Factors associated with discontinuation of aripiprazole treatment after switching from other antipsychotics in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A prospective observational study.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to identify factors associated with discontinuation of aripiprazole after switching from other antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia in real world clinical settings. From January 2011 to December 2012, a prospective, 48-week open-label study was undertaken. Thirty-eight subjects on antipsychotic monotherapy were switched to aripiprazole. Patients who discontinued aripiprazole were compared to those who continued with regards to demographic characteristics as well as treatment factors. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for aripiprazole discontinuation. Thirteen out of 38 patients (34.2%) discontinued aripiprazole during the follow up period. Nine patients (23.7%) discontinued aripiprazole due to worsening of psychotic symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the duration of previous antipsychotic treatment was associated with aripiprazole discontinuation after switching to aripiprazole. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis identified that the cut-off length for duration of illness to predict aripiprazole discontinuation was 10.5 years. Longer duration of illness was associated with aripiprazole discontinuation. Greater caution may be required when treating such patients with aripiprazole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan. Electronic address: esu-yosh@tokyo-med.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takaesu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Taishiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murakoshi
authors.affiliation: Fuji Psychosomatic Rehabilitation Laboratory, 1129 Hoshiyama, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka 418-0035, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobutada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057915:Drug Substitution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D028761:Withholding Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000068180:Aripiprazole
keywords: Aripiprazole; Discontinuation; Partial agonist; Predictor; Super sensitivity; Switching; Worsening