Comparing the rates of relapse in patients with first episode schizophrenia on oral and depot antipsychotics: a retrospective cohort study
Poster A66, Thursday, October 20, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Chun Ting Chan1, Subramaniam Mythily1, Abdin Edimansyah1, Siau Pheng Lee1, Rao Sujatha1, Basu Sutapa1, Chee Ashwin Weng Seng1, Boon Tat Ng1, Pangjaya Julius1, Chong Joyce Wei Xin1; 1Institute of Mental Health
One of the most reliable predictor of relapse of schizophrenia is treatment non-adherence, which may be reduced by the use of depot antipsychotics medication. This ongoing study is of a retrospective cohort design. Using psychiatric admission as a marker for symptom deterioration, this study measures the rate of relapse and functional outcomes between patients who are on oral antipsychotics (excluding clozapine) only, depot antipsychotics only or a combination of oral (excluding clozapine) and depot antipsychotics, after 2 years of management by the Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPIP) in Singapore. The number and total days of hospitalization between 12 and 24 months were obtained from computer records. Medication prescription information were obtained from electronic medical records and clinician interview. Their psychosocial functioning after 2 years of intervention were obtained. The primary outcome is the total number of psychiatric hospitalization during the second year of management by EPIP. Result: The vast majority (89%) of patients were on oral antipsychotics only. The median number of relapse for all patients was 0. There was no statistical difference in either the number or days of psychiatric hospitalization between patients on oral or depot antipsychotics. Conclusion: Patients with schizophrenia receiving intensive multi-disciplinary care in Singapore achieved excellent outcomes with low rates of relapse in the second year of service. The use of depot antipsychotic did not appear to confer any added advantage over oral antipsychotic in preventing relapse.
Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis