Mood Emot.  2024 Nov;22(3):69-77. 10.35986/me.2024.22.3.69.

Cross-Sectional Observation of the Factors for Long-Term Maintenance of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia

• Gwon H
• Yoon BH
• Kim K
• Kang H
• Yun H
• Jeong Y
• Jung HR
• Song JH
• Park S
• Sea YH
• Jo J

• KMID: 2568067
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2024.22.3.69

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to identify factors that influence the maintenance of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) for over a year in patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
Seventy patients from Naju National Hospital were divided into two groups: those who maintained LAI for over a year (maintaining group, n=39) and those who discontinued (dropout group, n=31). Sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared using medical records and assessments, including the Birchwood Insight Scale (BIS), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument.
Results
The number of rehospitalizations was significantly lower in the maintaining group (p=0.030). The highest previous Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score within a year of starting LAI was significantly higher in the maintaining group (p=0.002), with a higher number of individuals being employed in this group (p=0.029). The mean BIS (p=0.010) and DAI-10 (p=0.003) scores were higher in the maintaining group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the DAI-10 (B=0.148, p=0.014) had a significant impact on maintaining LAI.
Conclusion
Our study suggests that a positive drug attitude is one of the key factors in maintaining LAI treatment, preventing relapses and supporting long-term stabilization in schizophrenia.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Antipsychotic agents; Medication adherence