Effect of an Institutional Medication Adherence Program for Long-Acting Injectable Risperidone on Adherence and Psychiatric Hospitalizations: Evidence from a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Long-acting injectable (LAI) atypical antipsychotics are associated with improved adherence and reduced relapse rates in schizophrenia but reminder-based interventions may further improve outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To assess an institutional medication adherence program's (IMAP) effectiveness on adherence and psychiatric hospitalizations among schizophrenia patients taking risperidone LAI (RLAI).

METHODS

Between 2009 and 2010, we recruited patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia treated with RLAI receiving outpatient care from psychiatric centres in France. The IMAP consisted of calling patients 48 hours prior to their scheduled RLAI injections and within 3 days of a missed appointment. Centres applying the IMAP to ≥50% of scheduled patient injections were deemed compliant. Patients were followed up to one year for adherence (≥80% of scheduled RLAI injections received within 5 days of the scheduled date) and psychiatric hospitalizations.

RESULTS

Among 506 patients recruited from 36 centres, the hospitalization rate was 32.5 per 100 person-years. 15 centres treating 243 patients were IMAP compliant and 21 centres treating 263 patients were not. IMAP compliance was associated with lower psychiatric hospitalization rates (crude RR: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.44-0.93]; adjusted RR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.47-1.27]). Nearly 75% of patients were adherent to RLAI. While patient adherence had little impact on hospitalization rates (adjusted RR: 0.92 [95% CI: 0.59-1.44]), IMAP compliance was more effective among non-adherent (adjusted RR: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.16-1.28]) than adherent (adjusted RR: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.51-1.53]) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

IMAPs may improve patient adherence and reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, particularly among patients with difficulties adhering to LAI antipsychotics.