95 Differential Aspects Between Schizophrenia Treatment Approaches: Oral Antipsychotics vs Aripiprazole Long-Acting Injectable
Authors: Arques-Egea S , Ros-Cucurull E , Iranzo-Tatay C , Parro-Torres C , Palma-Álvarez RF , Castrillo E , Cantillo MA , Aznar P 
Published: March 2019

AIM

The objective of the study is to evaluate the differences in health outcomes as well as treatment satisfaction and functionality, focusing particularly in cognitive deficits and perceived disability among stable psychotic patients with therapeutic adherence treated with oral antipsychotics (OA) vs Aripiprazole Long Acting Inyectable (A-LAI).

METHOD

Naturalistic study, descriptive and transversal. Inclusion criteria: Schizophrenia; 18-65 years old; CGI≤3; treatment OA or A-LAI; no changes antipsychotic therapy in last 3months. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded using self-applied scales (TSQM;EQ-5;SDI;PDQ) and heteroaplied (PSP;CGI;UKU). A mirror analysis was performed in the A-LAI group comparing number of psychiatric drugs and antipsychotic used, previous admissions and emergency care visits.

RESULTS

50 patients (25 OA, 25 A-LAI), 62% male, age 43,9±11,1, psychotic illness evolution 15,9±9,9. In comparison with OA, A-LAI patients present greater functionality scores (PSP) 75±11,5 vs 61,8,±10,5 (p.001) and better results in quality of life (EQ-5D), both quantitatively, 69±18,6 vs 48,3±22,1 (p.005), and qualitatively (particularly in everyday tasks, OR 0,15 (p.009), and better health during the last year OR 0,16 (p.011). Additionally A-LAI patients showed less disability compared to OA, particularly in work areas (4,7 vs 6,8,p.017), social life (4,5 vs 6,6,p.006), overall disability (13 vs 18,p.022) and perceived stress (4,2 vs 6,2,p.020). Perceived cognitive deficits were lower in the A-LAI group, particularly in attention and concentration. There were significant differences in weight gained OR 0,22 (p.082) and sexual disfunction OR 0,078 (p.000) in favor of A-LAI. Prolactin levels are higher for the OA group, 41,7±30,8 vs 8,6±11,67ng/ml (p.003). Treatment satisfaction (TSQM) was significantly higher in A-LAI patients in all 4 dimensions. The factor that most influences the improvement in the functionality is the treatment with A-LAI instead of OA (–10,9±4,1,p.0117). A-LAI patients required a lower number of psychiatric drugs than OA. In A-LAI patients group was observed a statistical significant difference in the number of hospitalizations (1,8 vs 0,08,p.002), the number of admission days to the hospital (45,4 vs 1,5,p.010) and the number of emergency care needed (3,96 vs 0,6,p.000); furthermore, the number of antipsychotics was significantly reduced (2±1,3 vs 0,2±0,4) as well as the number of overall psychotic drugs (4,5±2,1 vs 2,2±1,4).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the data from our study patients with schizophrenia that are treated with A-LAI show better results in quality of life, functionality, less perceived disability and cognitive deficits compare to those that received OA, as well as more levels of treatment satisfaction. Tolerance of A-LAI has been better than OA, particularly in the sexual and weight areas, being prolactin levels also lower. The change to A-LAI has allowed a reduced use of health resources.