Retrospective analysis of hospitalization rates in patients with schizophrenia 12 months before and 12 months after the switch on once-monthly long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate

Abstract

Background/Aim. There is no available published data about use of long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate in schizophrenia patients in Republic of Serbia. The aim of this study was to assess hospitalization rates before and after the switch on once monthly longacting injectable paliperidone palmitate in schizophrenia patients, as well as their compliance with this drug. Methods. This was retrospective cross-sectional study which was evaluating hospitalization rates in the period of 12 months before and 12 months after the switch on once-monthly long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate in 113 schizophrenia patients. The age of enrolled patients was between 18 and 66 years. Results. Average age of enrolled patients was 38.36 ?11.62 years. Among them, 77 (68.1%) were male, and 36 (31.9% ) were female. Out of total number of 113 patients who were treated with once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate, 78 (69.03%) was on monotherapy, while 35 (30.97%) had one additional oral antipsychotic (risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole or clozapine). Out of total number of 113 patients, 68 (60.18%) were not hospitalized in 12 months period before the switch on once-monthly long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate, while 45 (39.82%) were hospitalized in the same period. Considering the fact that in the period after the switch on once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate 8 patients out of total number of 113, were discontinued from treatment due to adverse event or their own decision, analysis of the hospitalization rate after the switch was performed for remaining 105 patients, and the results showed that 9 (8.57%) were hospitalized in the period of 12 months after the switch, while 96 (91.43%) were not hospitalized in the same period. Conclusion. Our results show high compliance in treatment with once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate and positive impact of treatment with this drug on low hospitalization rate in 12 month period in patients with schizophrenia. Considering the availability of this drug in the Republic of Serbia, these results encourge the use of once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate as an important therapeutic option in schizophrenia patients