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Vita G, Tavella A, Ostuzzi G, Tedeschi F, De Prisco M, Segarra R, Solmi M, Barbui C, Correll CU. Efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable versus oral antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with early-phase schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2024; 14:20451253241257062. [PMID: 38831918 PMCID: PMC11145998 DOI: 10.1177/20451253241257062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) have advantages over oral antipsychotics (OAPs) in preventing relapse and hospitalization in chronically ill patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs), but evidence in patients with first-episode/recent-onset, that is, early-phase-SSDs is less clear. Objectives To assess the relative medium- and long-term efficacy and safety of LAIs versus OAPs in the maintenance treatment of patients with early-phase SSDs. Method We searched major electronic databases for head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LAIs and OAPs for the maintenance treatment of patients with early-phase-SSDs. Design Pairwise, random-effects meta-analysis. Relapse/hospitalization and acceptability (all-cause discontinuation) measured at study-endpoint were co-primary outcomes, calculating risk ratios (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses sought to identify factors moderating differences in efficacy or acceptability between LAIs and OAPs. Results Across 11 head-to-head RCTs (n = 2374, median age = 25.2 years, males = 68.4%, median illness duration = 45.8 weeks) lasting 13-104 (median = 78) weeks, no significant differences emerged between LAIs and OAPs for relapse/hospitalization prevention (RR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.58-1.06, p = 0.13) and acceptability (RR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.80-1.05, p = 0.20). The included trials were highly heterogeneous regarding methodology and patient populations. LAIs outperformed OAPs in preventing relapse/hospitalization in studies with stable patients (RR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.45-0.92), pragmatic design (RR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.54-0.82), and strict intent-to-treat approach (RR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.52-0.80). Furthermore, LAIs were associated with better acceptability in studies with schizophrenia patients only (RR = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.79-0.95), longer illness duration (RR = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.80-0.97), unstable patients (RR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.81-0.99) and allowed OAP supplementation of LAIs (RR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.81-0.99). Conclusion LAIs and OAPs did not differ significantly regarding relapse prevention/hospitalization and acceptability. However, in nine subgroup analyses, LAIs were superior to OAPs in patients with EP-SSDs with indicators of higher quality and/or pragmatic design regarding relapse/hospitalization prevention (four subgroup analyses) and/or reduced all-cause discontinuation (five subgroup analyses), without any instance of OAP superiority versus LAIs. More high-quality pragmatic trials comparing LAIs with OAPs in EP-SSDs are needed. Trial registration CRD42023407120 (PROSPERO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vita
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Angelantonio Tavella
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari ’Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ostuzzi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele De Prisco
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospìtal Clinic de Barcelona. c. Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), c. Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Segarra
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Marco Solmi
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- On Track: The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, ON, Canada
- SCIENCES Lab, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Clinical Epidemiology Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Berlin, Germany
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Christoph U. Correll
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Berlin, Germany
- The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, 75-59 263rd Street, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Hempstead, NY, USA
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Guinart D, Fagiolini A, Fusar-Poli P, Giordano GM, Leucht S, Moreno C, Correll CU. On the Road to Individualizing Pharmacotherapy for Adolescents and Adults with Schizophrenia - Results from an Expert Consensus Following the Delphi Method. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:1139-1152. [PMID: 38812809 PMCID: PMC11133879 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s456163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Current pharmacological treatments, while acceptably effective for many patients, are rarely clinically tailored or individualized. The lack of sufficient etiopathological knowledge of the disease, together with overall comparable effect sizes for efficacy between available antipsychotics and the absence of clinically actionable biomarkers, has hindered the advance of individualized medicine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, some degree of stratification based on clinical markers could guide treatment choices and help clinicians move toward individualized psychiatry. To this end, a panel of experts met to formally discuss the current approach to individualized treatment in schizophrenia and to define how treatment individualization could help improve clinical outcomes. Methods A task force of seven experts iteratively developed, evaluated, and refined questionnaire items, which were then evaluated using the Delphi method. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and rank expert responses. Expert discussion, informed by the results of a scoping review on personalizing the pharmacologic treatment of adults and adolescents with schizophrenia, ultimately generated recommendations to guide individualized pharmacologic treatment in this population. Results There was substantial agreement among the expert group members, resulting in the following recommendations: 1) individualization of treatment requires consideration of the patient's diagnosis, clinical presentation, comorbidities, previous treatment response, drug tolerability, adherence patterns, and social factors; 2) patient preferences should be considered in a shared decision-making approach; 3) identified barriers to personalized care that need to be overcome include the lack of actionable biomarkers and mechanistic similarities between available treatments, but digital tools should be increasingly used to enhance individualized treatment. Conclusion Individualized care can help provide effective, tailored treatments based on an individual's clinical characteristics, disease trajectory, family and social environment, and goals and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Guinart
- Institut de Salut Mental, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Del Mar Research Institute, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
- Outreach and Support in South-London (OASIS) Service, South London and Maudsley (Slam) NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Leucht
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Moreno
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (LISGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christoph U Correll
- Department of Psychiatry, The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
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Agid O, Crespo-Facorro B, de Bartolomeis A, Fagiolini A, Howes OD, Seppälä N, Correll CU. Overcoming the barriers to identifying and managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia and to improving access to clozapine: A narrative review and recommendation for clinical practice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 84:35-47. [PMID: 38657339 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Clozapine is the only approved antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Although a large body of evidence supports its efficacy and favorable risk-benefit ratio in individuals who have failed two or more antipsychotics, clozapine remains underused. However, variations in clozapine utilization across geographic and clinical settings suggest that it could be possible to improve its use. In this narrative review and expert opinion, we summarized information available in the literature on the mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and potential adverse events of clozapine. We identified barriers leading to discouragement in clozapine prescription internationally, and we proposed practical solutions to overcome each barrier. One of the main obstacles identified to the use of clozapine is the lack of appropriate training for physicians: we highlighted the need to develop specific professional programs to train clinicians, both practicing and in residency, on the relevance and efficacy of clozapine in TRS treatment, initiation, maintenance, and management of potential adverse events. This approach would facilitate physicians to identify eligible patients and offer clozapine as a treatment option in the early stage of the disease. We also noted that increasing awareness of the benefits of clozapine among healthcare professionals, people with TRS, and their caregivers can help promote the use of clozapine. Educational material, such as leaflets or videos, could be developed and distributed to achieve this goal. The information provided in this article may be useful to improve disease burden and support healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers navigating the complex pathways to TRS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofer Agid
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío-IBiS-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andrea de Bartolomeis
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science, and Odontostomatology. Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Psychiatry. Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Naples, Italy; Staff Unesco Chair at University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | | | - Oliver D Howes
- IoPPN, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niko Seppälä
- Wellbeing Services in Satakunta, Department of Psychiatry, Pori, Finland and Medical Consultant, Viatris, Finland
| | - Christoph U Correll
- The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, New York, United States; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Hempstead, New York, United States; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin 13353, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Fountoulakis KN, Tsapakis EM. Neither serotonin disorder is at the core of depression nor dopamine at the core of schizophrenia; still these are biologically based mental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02458-z. [PMID: 38374355 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Zhu C, Wang XY, Zhao J, Long B, Xiao X, Pan LY, Yuan TF, Chen JH. Effect of transdermal drug delivery therapy on anxiety symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1177214. [PMID: 37360162 PMCID: PMC10289061 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1177214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transdermal drug delivery therapy for schizophrenia with anxiety symptoms. Methods A total of 80 schizophrenic patients (34 males and 56 females) with comorbid anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 40) with 6 weeks of follow-up. The patients in the treatment group received the standard antipsychotic drug treatment along with transdermal drug delivery therapy. The evaluation of the patients included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks after transdermal drug delivery therapy. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results After 3 and 6 weeks of treatment, the HAMA scale scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the HAMD-17 scale scores, PANSS total scores, and subscale scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences in adverse effects were observed between the two groups during the intervention period (p > 0.05). After 6 weeks of penetration therapy, there was a low negative correlation between total disease duration and the change in HAMA scale score (pretreatment-posttreatment) in the treatment group. Conclusion Combined traditional Chinese medicine directed penetration therapy can improve the anxiety symptoms of patients with schizophrenia and has a safe profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuifang Zhu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mental Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Yue Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mental Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Long
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mental Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Xiao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mental Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Yi Pan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Hua Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mental Health, Shanghai, China
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6
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Efficacy and acceptability of psychosocial interventions in schizophrenia: systematic overview and quality appraisal of the meta-analytic evidence. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:354-368. [PMID: 35999275 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01727-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial interventions are recommended in schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis/early psychosis (EP). Nevertheless, literature is heterogeneous and often contradictory. We conducted an umbrella review of (network) meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychosocial interventions vs treatment as usual (TAU)/active interventions(ACTIVE)/MIXED controls. Primary outcome was total symptoms (TS); secondary outcomes were positive/negative/depressive symptoms (PS/NS/DS), cognition, functioning, relapse, hospitalization, quality of life (QoL), treatment discontinuation. Standardized mean difference (SMD)/odds ratio (OR)/risk ratio (RR) vs TAU/ACTIVE/MIXED were summarized at end-of-treatment (EoT)/follow-up (FU). Quality was rated as high/medium/low (AMSTAR-PLUS). Eighty-three meta-analyses were included (RCTs = 1246; n = 84,925). Against TAU, regarding TS, Early Intervention Services (EIS) were superior EoT/FU in EP (SMD = -0.32/-0.21), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in schizophrenia EoT/FU (SMD = -0.38/-0.19). Regarding secondary outcomes, in EP, EIS were superior for all outcomes EoT except cognition, and at FU for PS/NS/QoL, specific family interventions (FI-s) prevented relapse EoT; in schizophrenia, superiority emerged EoT for CBT for PS/NS/relapse/functioning/QoL; psychoeducation (EDU)/any FI for relapse; cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for cognition/functioning; and hallucination-focused integrative treatment for PS. Against ACTIVE, in EP, mixed family interventions (FI-m) were superior at FU regarding TS (SMD = -0.61) and for functioning/relapse among secondary outcomes. In schizophrenia, regarding TS, mindfulness and social skills training (SST) were superior EoT, CBT at FU; regarding secondary outcomes superiority emerged at EoT for computerized cognitive drill-and-practice training for PS/DS, CRT for cognition/functioning, EDU for relapse, individual placement and support (IPS) for employment; and at FU CBT for PS/NS. Against MIXED, in schizophrenia, CRT/EDU were superior for TS EoT (d = -0.14/SMD = -0.33), CRT regarding secondary outcomes EoT for DS/social functioning, both EoT/FU for NS/cognition/global functioning; compensatory cognitive interventions for PS/functioning EoT/FU and NS EoT; CBT for PS at FU, and EDU/SST for relapse EoT. In conclusion, mental health services should consider prioritizing EIS/any FI in EP and CBT/CRT/any FI/IPS for schizophrenia, but other interventions may be helpful for specific outcomes.
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Riboldi I, Cavaleri D, Capogrosso CA, Crocamo C, Bartoli F, Carrà G. Practical Guidance for the Use of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:3915-3929. [PMID: 36605176 PMCID: PMC9809355 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s371991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness causing a high degree of disability. First- and second-generation antipsychotics (FGAs and SGAs) represent key resources for its acute and long-term management. Since a poor adherence to oral treatments may negatively impact the course of the disorder, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are often used to reduce clinical relapses. Notwithstanding their potential beneficial features, LAIs use in clinical practice remains somewhat hampered by the limited amount of relevant systematic information. This review thus aims at providing a clinical, practical guidance for the use of LAIs in the treatment of schizophrenia. We synthetized main information on indications, dosage, and administration of LAIs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or in EU countries, as well as evidence from the most recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Currently available information, though heterogeneous, shows that LAIs can prevent relapses and rehospitalizations, improving clinical outcomes and favouring sustained remission among people with schizophrenia. The use of SGA LAIs is supported by more robust evidence than FGA LAIs. Along with their positive impact on the prevention of treatment discontinuation, some LAIs might also enhance individual global functioning and quality of life, without additional adverse events or health-care costs, as compared with oral antipsychotics. Although which LAIs can be considered a first-choice option, as well as their superiority over oral antipsychotics, remain unclear issues, this review offers a comprehensive overview of information available on the use of LAIs for people with schizophrenia, providing clinicians with practical guidance in terms of efficacy and acceptability of single agents. Literature gaps and future research needs are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Riboldi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy,Correspondence: Ilaria Riboldi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy, Tel +39 0257998647, Email
| | - Daniele Cavaleri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara A Capogrosso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Cristina Crocamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Francesco Bartoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy,Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Fountoulakis KN, Panagiotidis P, Tegos T, Kimiskidis V, Nimatoudis I. Paternal age and specific neurological soft signs as reliable and valid neurobiological markers for the diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:1087-1096. [PMID: 34842982 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Advanced parental age at delivery and neurological soft signs (NSS) constitute risk factors for schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to develop a neurobiological diagnostic index by combining them, and without the contribution of clinical symptomatology. The study sample included 133 patients suffering from schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR (77 males and 56 females; aged 33.55 ± 11.22 years old) and 122 normal controls (66 males and 56 females; aged 32.89 ± 9.91 years old). The assessment included the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), and a number of scales assessing the clinical symptoms and adverse effects. The statistical analysis included exploratory t-test, Pearson Correlation coefficient (R) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). Exploratory t-tests and Pearson's R suggested that sex, parental age and NSS constitute independent components. On the basis of DFA results, the Psychotic Neurological Index was developed. At the cut-off PNI score of 8.5, sensitivity was equal to 94.74 and specificity to 93.44. The current is probably the first study to report on an easily obtainable diagnostic neurobiological marker with identifiable properties which is absolutely independent from the clinical manifestations and could serve in distinguishing between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls with high efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Panagiotidis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomas Tegos
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Kimiskidis
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Nimatoudis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Ostuzzi G, Bertolini F, Tedeschi F, Vita G, Brambilla P, del Fabro L, Gastaldon C, Papola D, Purgato M, Nosari G, Del Giovane C, Correll C, Barbui C. Oral and long-acting antipsychotics for relapse prevention in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a network meta-analysis of 92 randomized trials including 22,645 participants. World Psychiatry 2022; 21:295-307. [PMID: 35524620 PMCID: PMC9077618 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
According to current evidence and guidelines, continued antipsychotic treatment is key for preventing relapse in people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, but evidence-based recommendations for the choice of the individual antipsychotic for maintenance treatment are lacking. Although oral antipsychotics are often prescribed first line for practical reasons, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are a valuable resource to tackle adherence issues since the earliest phase of disease. Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and CINAHL databases and online registers were searched to identify randomized controlled trials comparing LAIs or oral antipsychotics head-to-head or against placebo, published until June 2021. Relative risks and standardized mean differences were pooled using random-effects pairwise and network meta-analysis. The primary outcomes were relapse and dropout due to adverse events. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess study quality, and the CINeMA approach to assess the confidence of pooled estimates. Of 100 eligible trials, 92 (N=22,645) provided usable data for meta-analyses. Regarding relapse prevention, the vast majority of the 31 included treatments outperformed placebo. Compared to placebo, "high" confidence in the results was found for (in descending order of effect magnitude) amisulpride-oral (OS), olanzapine-OS, aripiprazole-LAI, olanzapine-LAI, aripiprazole-OS, paliperidone-OS, and ziprasidone-OS. "Moderate" confidence in the results was found for paliperidone-LAI 1-monthly, iloperidone-OS, fluphenazine-OS, brexpiprazole-OS, paliperidone-LAI 1-monthly, asenapine-OS, haloperidol-OS, quetiapine-OS, cariprazine-OS, and lurasidone-OS. Regarding tolerability, none of the antipsychotics was significantly worse than placebo, but confidence was poor, with only aripiprazole (both LAI and OS) showing "moderate" confidence levels. Based on these findings, olanzapine, aripiprazole and paliperidone are the best choices for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, considering that both LAI and oral formulations of these antipsychotics are among the best-performing treatments and have the highest confidence of evidence for relapse prevention. This finding is of particular relevance for low- and middle-income countries and constrained-resource settings, where few medications may be selected. Results from this network meta-analysis can inform clinical guidelines and national and international drug regulation policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ostuzzi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Federico Bertolini
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Giovanni Vita
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of MilanMilanItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
| | - Lorenzo del Fabro
- Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of MilanMilanItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
| | - Chiara Gastaldon
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Davide Papola
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Guido Nosari
- Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of MilanMilanItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
| | - Cinzia Del Giovane
- Institute of Primary Health CareUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland,Population Health LaboratoryUniversity of FribourgFribourgSwitzerland
| | - Christoph U. Correll
- Department of PsychiatryZucker Hillside HospitalGlen OaksNYUSA,Department of Psychiatry and Molecular MedicineZucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellHempsteadNYUSA,Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryCharité Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of PsychiatryUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
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10
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Fountoulakis KN, Stahl SM. The effect of first- and second-generation antipsychotics on brain morphology in schizophrenia: A systematic review of longitudinal magnetic resonance studies with a randomized allocation to treatment arms. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:428-438. [PMID: 35395911 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221087645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia manifests as loss of brain volume in specific areas in a progressive nature and an important question concerns whether long-term treatment with medications contributes to this. The aim of the current PRISMA systematic review was to search for prospective studies involving randomization to treatment. PROSPERO ID: CRD42020197874. The MEDLINE/PUBMED was searched and it returned 2638 articles; 3 were fulfilling the inclusion criteria. A fourth was published later; they included 359 subjects, of whom 86 were healthy controls, while the rest were first-episode patients, with 91 under olanzapine, 93 under haloperidol, 48 under risperidone, 5 under paliperidone, 6 under ziprasidone, and 30 under placebo. Probably one-third of patients were suffering from a psychotic disorder other than schizophrenia. The consideration of their results suggested that there is no significant difference between these medications concerning their effects on brain structure and also in comparison to healthy subjects. There does not seem to be any strong support to the opinion that medications that treat psychosis cause loss of brain volume in patients with schizophrenia. On the contrary, the data might imply the possible presence of a protective effect for D2, 5-HT2, and NE alpha-2 antagonists (previously called SGAs). However, the literature is limited and focused research in large study samples is essential to clarify the issue, since important numerical differences do exist. The possibility of the results and their heterogeneity to be artifacts secondary to a modification of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal by antipsychotics should not be easily rejected until relevant data are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stephen M Stahl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
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11
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Systematic literature review of schizophrenia clinical practice guidelines on acute and maintenance management with antipsychotics. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2022; 8:5. [PMID: 35210430 PMCID: PMC8873492 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00192-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) translate evidence into recommendations to improve patient care and outcomes. To provide an overview of schizophrenia CPGs, we conducted a systematic literature review of English-language CPGs and synthesized current recommendations for the acute and maintenance management with antipsychotics. Searches for schizophrenia CPGs were conducted in MEDLINE/Embase from 1/1/2004–12/19/2019 and in guideline websites until 06/01/2020. Of 19 CPGs, 17 (89.5%) commented on first-episode schizophrenia (FES), with all recommending antipsychotic monotherapy, but without agreement on preferred antipsychotic. Of 18 CPGs commenting on maintenance therapy, 10 (55.6%) made no recommendations on the appropriate maximum duration of maintenance therapy, noting instead individualization of care. Eighteen (94.7%) CPGs commented on long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs), mainly in cases of nonadherence (77.8%), maintenance care (72.2%), or patient preference (66.7%), with 5 (27.8%) CPGs recommending LAIs for FES. For treatment-resistant schizophrenia, 15/15 CPGs recommended clozapine. Only 7/19 (38.8%) CPGs included a treatment algorithm.
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12
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Højlund M, Kemp AF, Haddad PM, Neill JC, Correll CU. Standard versus reduced dose of antipsychotics for relapse prevention in multi-episode schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet Psychiatry 2021; 8:471-486. [PMID: 34023019 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dose reduction of antipsychotic maintenance treatment in individuals with schizophrenia could be desirable to minimise adverse effects, but evidence for this strategy is unclear. We aimed to compare risks and benefits of reduced versus standard doses of antipsychotics. METHODS We searched Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library from database inception until June 17, 2020, for randomised trials in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder lasting at least 24 weeks, including individuals clinically stable at baseline, and comparing at least two doses of the same antipsychotic, excluding trials in first-episode psychosis or treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We compared low-dose (within 50-99% of the lower limit of the standard dose) and very-low dose (less than 50% of the lower limit) with standard dose, defined as doses higher than the lower limit of the treatment dose recommended by the International Consensus Study. Data from published reports on number of participants, treatment, sex, age, number of events, and changes in psychopathology scores were extracted independently by at least two authors. Investigators or sponsors were contacted by email to obtain missing information regarding outcomes. Co-primary outcomes were relapse and all-cause discontinuation. Study-level data were meta-analysed using random-effects models, calculating risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data, and Hedges' g for continuous data. The protocol was registered with OSF registries. FINDINGS 7853 references were identified in the database search and one additional reference from a manual review of relevant studies. 5744 abstracts were assessed for eligibility, and 101 references were assessed for full-text review. Of these, 79 were excluded for a variety of reasons, resulting in 22 studies being included in the meta-analysis, reporting on 24 trials and 3282 individuals. Study participants had a median age of 38 years (IQR 36-40) with 2166 (65·9%) males and 1116 (34·0%) females. Compared with standard dose, low dose increased the risk of relapse by 44% (16 trials, 1920 participants; RR 1·44, 95% CI 1·10-1·87; p=0·0076; I2=46%) and the risk of all-cause discontinuation by 12% (16 trials, 1932 participants; RR 1·12, 1·03-1·22; p=0·0085; I2=0%). Very low dose increased the risk of relapse by 72% (13 trials, 2058 participants; RR 1·72, 95% CI 1·29-2·29; p=0·0002; I2=70%) and all-cause discontinuation by 31% (11 trials, 1866 participants; RR 1·31, 1·11-1·54; p=0·0011; I2=63%). Compared with low dose, very low dose did not significantly increase the risk of relapse (five trials, 686 participants; RR 1·31, 95% CI 0·96-1·79; p=0·092; I2=51%) or all-cause discontinuation (five trials 686 participants; RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·95-1·30; p=0·18; I2=43%). Subgroup analyses comparing double-blind versus open-label studies, first-generation versus second-generation antipsychotics, and oral versus long-acting injectable antipsychotics were consistent with the overall results. Most studies were classified as having some concerns in the risk of bias assessment, which was mainly caused by absence of publicly available study registrations. INTERPRETATION During maintenance treatment in multi-episode schizophrenia, antipsychotic doses should probably not be reduced below the standard dose range recommended for acute stabilisation, because reducing the dose further is associated with an increased risk of both relapse and all-cause discontinuation. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Højlund
- Department of Psychiatry Aabenraa, Metal Health Services Region of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Adam F Kemp
- Department of Psychiatry Aabenraa, Metal Health Services Region of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark
| | - Peter M Haddad
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joanna C Neill
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christoph U Correll
- Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Liloia D, Brasso C, Cauda F, Mancuso L, Nani A, Manuello J, Costa T, Duca S, Rocca P. Updating and characterizing neuroanatomical markers in high-risk subjects, recently diagnosed and chronic patients with schizophrenia: A revised coordinate-based meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 123:83-103. [PMID: 33497790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing neuroanatomical markers of different stages of schizophrenia (SZ) to assess pathophysiological models of how the disorder develops is an important target for the clinical practice. We performed a meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies of genetic and clinical high-risk subjects (g-/c-HR), recently diagnosed (RDSZ) and chronic SZ patients (ChSZ). We quantified gray matter (GM) changes associated with these four conditions and compared them with contrast and conjunctional data. We performed the behavioral analysis and networks decomposition of alterations to obtain their functional characterization. Results reveal a cortical-subcortical, left-to-right homotopic progression of GM loss. The right anterior cingulate is the only altered region found altered among c-HR, RDSZ and ChSZ. Contrast analyses show left-lateralized insular, amygdalar and parahippocampal GM reduction in RDSZ, which appears bilateral in ChSZ. Functional decomposition shows involvement of the salience network, with an enlargement of the sensorimotor network in RDSZ and the thalamus-basal nuclei network in ChSZ. These findings support the current neuroprogressive models of SZ and integrate this deterioration with the clinical evolution of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Liloia
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Claudio Brasso
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Franco Cauda
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Mancuso
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Andrea Nani
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Jordi Manuello
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Costa
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Sergio Duca
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Functional Neuroimaging and Complex Neural Systems (FOCUS) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Paola Rocca
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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