Management of patients starting treatment with second-generation antipsychotics: insights from a European retrospective real-world analysis.

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding real-life management of mental health disorders is crucial for enabling effective social and healthcare interventions. This retrospective real-world study investigated differences in the management of young adults (<30 years) and adults (≥30 years) starting treatment with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in Italy, Spain and Poland.

Methods: Patients' characteristics, treatment and safety profile and healthcare resource utilisation were analysed from general practitioners' and psychiatrists' electronic medical records and from pharmacy prescription records. The main analysis was stratified by age, but stratification by SGA molecule and a focus on subjects with schizophrenia were also provided.

Results: A total of 530,587 subjects started treatment with SGAs. Throughout data sources, young adults accounted for from 17.8% to 30.2%; women were more represented among adults, who also had higher proportions of comorbid conditions. Young adults showed higher frequencies of switches (from 4.7% to 11.0% for young adults and from 2.9% to 8.6% for adults) and add-ons (from 2.5% to 5.6% for young adults and from 1.7% to 5.0% for adults) and exhibited slightly better adherence/persistence with the initial SGA.

Conclusions: Distinct management behaviours were identified depending on age. A nuanced approach integrating tailored therapeutic strategies is needed to optimise long-term outcomes for patients requiring treatment with SGAs.