Conference paper
EFFICACY OF LAI IN FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY - CLINICAL REPORTS
Alba Cervone
; Community Mental Health Service, Department of Mental Health, AUSL Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Antonio D’Onghia
; Community Mental Health Service, Department of Mental Health, AUSL Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Maria Ferrara
; Community Mental Health Service, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
Claudio R. M. Massaro
; Community Mental Health Service, Department of Mental Health, AUSL Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Abstract
The use of antipsychotics, especially second generation antipsychotics, represents the milestone treatment of “first episode of
psychosis” (FEP). Although prodromal symptoms of psychosis have long been recognized, the clinical management of psychotic
disorders conventionally begins at the first episode of frank psychosis, as it is well acknowledged that “duration of untreated
psychosis” (DUP) is one of the main factor that negatively affects prognosis: a longer DUP is highly correlated to reduced response
to treatment, poor clinical and social outcomes, and an overall worst prognosis. Long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations of
antipsychotics have traditionally been used for those patients with psychosis with the most severe symptoms, poorest compliance,
most hospitalizations and poorest outcomes; moreover it seems that psychiatrists tend to prescribe LAI at the latter stages of the
disease. We retrospectively collected clinical and sociodemographic data regarding patients consecutively presenting with symptoms
of FEP attending the Community Mental Health Service (CMHS) in Foggia from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2015. We selected
patients who attended the CMHS in Foggia with symptoms of FEP. Different scales were administered to assess symptoms severity,
quality of life, side effects, adherence, and overall functionality. In our sample LAI treatment was found to be effective in treating
symptoms associated to FEP, improved quality of life and it was associated with a clinically irrelevant incidence of extrapyramidal
side effect. Considering that achieving a full symptoms remission in people affected by FEP is associated to better outcomes, and
that DUP is associated to poor prognosis, LAIs could play an important role in improving overall recovery.
Keywords
first episode psychosis; LAIs; pharmacological treatment; Bipolar Disorder; recovery
Hrčak ID:
264564
URI
Publication date:
8.9.2015.
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