Antipsychotics in First-Episode Psychosis: Patterns of Use in a Sample of Portuguese Patients
Poster B64, Friday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Ricardo Coentre1,2, Miguel Talina1,3; 1First-Episode Psychosis Program, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal, 3CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, Nova Medical School/Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, New University of Lisbon, Portugal
Purpose: Current guidelines propose the use of low doses of antipsychotics in the treatment of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. This study aims to examine the pattern of antipsychotic use in the first months of psychosis. Materials and Methods: Electronic medical records were retrospectively analyzed and antipsychotic treatment was evaluated during initial weeks (baseline) of FEP and current time (follow-up). Results: The sample included 40 consecutive FEP patients, with a mean time of follow-up of 16.2 months (SD: 10.3). The mean age of the sample was 29.7 years, 60% males, with a DUP of 470.6 days (SD: 693.3). At baseline, 37 (92.5%) of the patients were treated with atypical antipsychotics. Twelve (30%) patients were initially treated with risperidone, 8 (20%) with olanzapine, 5 (12.5%) with aripiprazole, 3 (7.5%) with paliperidone and 2 (5%) with haloperidol. Of the 40 patients, 22 (55%) continued the initially prescribed antipsychotic at follow-up, 16 (40%) switched to alternative antipsychotic and 2 (5%) were lost to follow-up. At follow-up, 9 (22.5%) patients are taking risperidone, 6 (15%) patients aripiprazole, 3 (7.5%) patients paliperidone, 2 (5%) patients olanzapine, 2 (5%) patients clozapine, 1 (2.6%) patient sustained-released quetiapine, 1 (2.6%) patient amissulpride and 1 (2.6%) patient haloperidol. Injectable long acting antipsychotics were used in 22.5% of patients at baseline and in 32.5% at follow-up. Conclusion: Our results are in line with current guidelines regarding FEP. In our sample FEP patients were mainly treated with atypical antipsychotics. Injectable long acting antipsychotics were used in a significant proportion of the patients.
Topic Area: Psychopharmacology