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Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics (LAIs) Prescribing Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania
Ana A Miron1,2, Petru I Ifteni1,2, Andreea Teodorescu1,2
1Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 27, 2022
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the initiation of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia patients by 48.3%. This decrease in LAI treatment poses a potential risk for increased relapse rates in the future.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are crucial for managing schizophrenia, particularly in young patients prone to non-adherence.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has been anecdotally linked to decreased LAI administration in certain regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the initiation rates of LAIs in schizophrenia patients.
- To quantify changes in LAI initiation before and after the pandemic declaration.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective mirror-image study design was employed.
- Data were collected over 24 months, comparing the 12 months before and 12 months after March 11, 2020.
- Analysis included patient admissions for schizophrenia and LAI initiation at discharge.
Main Results:
- A substantial 48.3% reduction in LAI initiation was observed post-pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.
- Despite a general decrease in hospital admissions, schizophrenia admissions remained stable.
- Only 1.3% of schizophrenia patients admitted during the study period were initiated on LAIs at discharge.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to initiating LAIs for schizophrenia treatment.
- The observed decline in LAI initiation may lead to increased relapse rates among schizophrenia patients.
- Urgent strategies are needed to ensure continuity of LAI treatment during health crises.
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