Long-acting injectable antipsychotics: Six-month follow-up of new outpatient treatments in Bologna Community Mental Health Centres

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe factors associated to treatment continuity and psychiatric relapses in patients treated with Long Acting Injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) in Bologna Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). METHODS: New LAI treatments administered between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2015 in CMHCs were selected. The cohort was followed-up for 6 months; predictors of continuity and psychiatric admissions were investigated by using logistic regression- and Cox- analysis respectively. RESULTS: Among the cohort of 1 070 patients, only 222 (21%) continued LAI treatment during the follow-up. LAI continuity was higher with first generation agents (OR: 1.71, 95%CI 1.18–2.49) and in case of previous psychiatric hospitalizations (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.47–2.74). Incidence of psychiatric hospital admissions showed a sharp reduction in the follow-up compared with 6-month period before initiation (from 458 to 212), and was associated with previous psychiatric hospitalizations (HR 3.20, 95%CI 2.22–4.59), immigration (HR 3.13, 95%CI 1.28–7.69) and LAI discontinuation (HR 1.14, 95%Cl 1.01–1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric hospital admission before LAI initiation was the main predictor both of LAI continuity and hospitalization during the follow-up.