Real-world examination of the rates of long-acting injectable attrition in a cohort of early psychosis patients after discharge from an early intervention service for psychosis

Background: Patients treated in early intervention for psychosis programs have better treatment outcomes and higher rates of long-acting injection (LAI) antipsychotic medication utilization (20%-50%) versus treatment as usual. These programs usually serve patients for 2-3 years, then most patients are discharged to other mental health services and studies of patients with longer-standing schizophrenia suggest switching to oral medications may be common. However, following patients post-discharge is complicated by the challenges of migrated patient records across clinical services and providers. Objectives: To examine whether LAI use continues after discharge from an early intervention service for psychosis. Design: This study was a retrospective cohort study examining the effects of continuation or discontinuation of LAI therapy in individuals who have completed treatment in an early intervention service (EIS) for psychosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort was created from a group of individuals discharged from EIS for psychosis over a 3-year period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 and followed for mental health outcomes and antipsychotic medications prescribed for a subsequent 2-year period at discharge, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-discharge. Results: Of 85 subjects discharged from three sites in three different provinces in Canada for whom full follow-up could be recorded, 60 subjects remained on LAI medications after 24 months (71%). The average age of the cohort was 22 years (SD 4.7) at admission to an EIS. At discharge, the most commonly used LAI was aripiprazole, and most subjects were maintained on the same formulation at 24 months, if still on LAI. Reasons for discontinuation were predominantly patient preference. Significant differences in clinical outcomes, measured through reduced rehospitalization were seen for those who remained on LAI as compared to those who did not. Conclusion: LAI adherence is still strong 24 months after discharge from an EIS for psychosis.