Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Long-Acting Injectable vs. Oral Antipsychotics: A Naturalistic Study

Authors

Francesca Bardi
Lorenzo Moccia
Georgios D Kotzalidis
Gianluca Boggio
Andrea Brugnami
Greta Sfratta
Delfina Janiri
Gabriele Sani
Alessio Simonetti

Language

English

Publication Date

7-16-2025

Journal

Healthcare

DOI

10.3390/healthcare13141709

PMID

40724735

PMCID

PMC12295619

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-16-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) represent a significant advancement in the treatment of schizophrenia (SCZ), particularly for improving adherence and long-term outcomes. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients receiving atypical LAIs compared to those on various oral antipsychotics over a one-year follow-up in a naturalistic setting.

Methods: Sixty patients with SCZ were subdivided in two groups, those receiving LAIs (n = 25) and those receiving oral antipsychotics (n = 35). The groups were comparable for age, gender, educational attainment, employment status, marital status, smoking habits, and baseline SCZ severity, with no differences in baseline chlorpromazine equivalent dosages.

Results: Over the follow-up period, patients in the LAI group discontinued treatment less frequently (χ2 = 4.72, p = 0.030), showed fewer suicide attempts (χ2 = 5.63, p = 0.018), fewer hospitalizations (χ2 = 4.95, p = 0.026), and fewer relapses (χ2 = 6.61, p = 0.010). Significant differences also emerged on the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10) scores (F = 8.76, p = 0.005) and Body Mass Index (BMI) values (F = 8.32, p = 0.007), with the LAI group showing more favorable outcomes.

Conclusions: LAIs, compared to oral antipsychotics, may promote treatment adherence, as shown by decreased hospitalization; furthermore, their use is related with better outcomes, like fewer relapses and less suicide attempts in individuals with SCZ in real-world settings.

Keywords

antipsychotic agents, oral, antipsychotic agents, long-acting injectable, treatment adherence, hospitalization, schizophrenia, relapse, suicide attempts

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Bardi, Francesca; Moccia, Lorenzo; Kotzalidis, Georgios D; et al., "Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Long-Acting Injectable vs. Oral Antipsychotics: A Naturalistic Study" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6096.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6096