Efficacy and Safety of Paliperidone Palmitate Treatment in Patients With Schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of paliperidone palmitate (PP) in schizophrenic patients using real-life data. Methods This national, multicenter, retrospective, and mirror-image study was performed reviewing the medical records of patients in 18 centers. Adult schizophrenic patients receiving PP treatment (n = 205) were enrolled. Patients' data covering the last 12 months before the initial PP injection and the period until the end of study with at least 12 months after the initial PP injection were evaluated. Patients' characteristics, scale scores, and adverse events were recorded. Results Nonadherence to prior medication was the most frequent reason for switching to PP treatment. Comparing with the period before PP treatment, the rate of patients visiting the hospital for relapse (79.5% vs 28.9%, P < 0.001) and the median number of hospitalizations (2 vs 0, P < 0.001) were lower during PP treatment. During PP treatment, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score decreased by 20% or more (response to treatment) in 75.7% of the patients. The frequency of adverse events did not differ between the period before and during PP treatment. Improvement in functionality was higher in those with disease duration of 5 years or less. Conclusions Paliperidone palmitate is effective and safe in treatment of schizophrenic patients and in switching to PP treatment in patients with schizophrenia, which reduced the percentage of patients admitted to the hospital for relapse and the median number hospitalization, and has positive effects on functionality.

Second-Generation Antipsychotics’ Effectiveness and Tolerability: A Review of Real-World Studies in Patients with Schizophrenia and Related Disorders

“…Finally, only the study by [ 69 ] presented results on the effectiveness of LAI risperidone in a retrospective cohort study vs. all-oral SGAs and FGAs and vs. oral risperidone [ 69 ]. All the studies, including patients treated with PP1M, reported significant improvements in subjective well-being and global satisfaction, and improved personal and social performance [ 59 , 65 , 67 , 68 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 78 , 79 , 82 ]. Furthermore, functionality improvement was more remarkable in patients with a disease duration of 5 years or less [ 75 ].…”

Clinical outcomes of paliperidone long-acting injection in patients with schizophrenia: a 1-year retrospective cohort study

“…The result revealed that full compliance patients had decreased hospital admissions and bed days. A multicenter mirror study in Turkey [ 53 ] revealed that the use of PLAI reduced the incidences of hospital visits because of relapse and the median number of hospitalizations. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale score decreased over the course of PLAI treatment.…”

Structured Evaluation of Rehabilitation Programs Outcomes in Psychiatry: Application of a Recovery-Centered Model

“…We identified and evaluated in 12 months before and after the rehabilitative program the following outcome indicators according to the Italian National State-Regions Agreement of cure program care [ 30 ] and literature data: number and duration of hospitalizations [ 31 , 32 ], continuity of care [ 33 ], adherence to LAI treatment [ 34 ], working condition and possible supported work services [ 35 ].…”

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