Long-acting injectable (LAI) versus oral antipsychotics for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia: a systematic review and comparative meta-analysis of randomised, cohort, and pre–post studies
Review of 137 studies identified significant benefit with LAIs vs oral antipsychotics to prevent hospitalisation/relapse in settings from RCTs to real-word application (cohort & pre–post studies). Findings suggest increased use of LAIs could improve outcomes in schizophrenia.
Source:
The Lancet Psychiatry
Resource links:
SPS commentary:
Data showed LAIs were linked to lower risk of hospitalisation/relapse vs oral antipsychotics in 3 study designs (RCTs: 29 studies n=7833 RR 0.88 [95% CI 0.79–0.99] p=0.033; cohort studies: 44 studies n=106136 RR 0.92 [0.88–0.98] p=0.0044; pre–post studies: 28 studies n=17876 RR 0.44 [0.39–0.51] p<0.0001).
A commentary addresses the benefits suggestws by the meta-analysis for using LAI’s in comparison to poorly adhered oral anti-psychotics, the validity of each study design included and how well the results from this review apply to a given patient or care situation.