Abstract
Background: Using long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications can improve the outcomes of patients with schizophrenia, such as reducing symptom severity and hospitalization risk. However, the outcomes of switching from oral to LAI antipsychotic medications are unclear. Aims: The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the clinical, quality of life, and health care utilization outcomes of switching from oral to LAI antipsychotics among patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. Methods: We thoroughly searched the PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases. To conduct the meta-analysis, we used the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Program. Results: Forty-one articles met our inclusion criteria. After switching to LAIs, symptom severity, the number of rehospitalizations, emergency department visits, and overall health care costs were reduced. Also, social functioning significantly improved. However, no differences were observed in the frequency of outpatient visits. Pharmacy costs were increased between pre- and post-LAI initiation. Conclusion: Our findings support evidence that changing the route of administration of antipsychotic medications from oral to long-acting intramuscular injections can improve the clinical, quality of life, and health care utilization outcomes in people with schizophrenia. Health care practitioners might consider encouraging LAI use earlier during treatment for schizophrenia for better clinical outcomes and to reduce health care utilization associated with treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 138-164 |
| Number of pages | 27 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Author(s) 2024.
Funding
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Research reported in this publication was supported, in part, by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services under Agreement titled \u201CAssessing the Impact of Long-Acting Injectables on Psychiatric Treatment Outcomes among Medicaid Beneficiaries.\u201D The research reported in this publication was partially funded by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services\u2019 Department for Medicaid Services through an agreement titled \u201CAssessing the Impact of Long-Acting Injectables on Psychiatric Treatment Outcomes Among Medicaid Beneficiaries.\u201D
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Medicaid Services | |
| Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Medicaid Services | |
| Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Medicaid Services |
Keywords
- outpatient and emergency visits
- rehospitalization
- schizophrenia
- symptoms severity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatric Mental Health
