Improved symptom control, functioning and satisfaction in French patients treated with long-acting injectable risperidone

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of direct initiation of long-acting injectable risperidone (LAIR) in adults with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders requiring a change of treatment.

Patients clinically stable for one month or more on their previous medication received 25 mg of LAIR (increased to 37.5 or 50 mg, if necessary) every 14 days for six months.

Of 202 patients (70% male, mean age 38 years), the majority (86%) had DSM-IV schizophrenia (mainly paranoid). Previous treatments were atypical antipsychotics (65%), depot (34%) and oral (9%) conventional neuroleptics. Mean total positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) score was significantly reduced from baseline to treatment endpoint (79.4 versus 68.3, P<0.001), as were all subscale and symptom factor scores. The clinical global impression-disease severity (CGI-S), general assessment of functioning (GAF), health-related quality of life (SF-36) and patient satisfaction with treatment were also improved significantly. At endpoint, 31% rated the treatment as 'very good' compared with 8% at baseline. The total extrapyramidal symptoms rating scale (ESRS) and Parkinsonism subscale scores were reduced significantly (P<0.001) from baseline at one month and further improved until treatment endpoint.

LAIR significantly improved disease symptoms, patient functioning, movement disorders, health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction. It therefore provides a useful option for the management of patients with psychotic disorders.