.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Quality of life in early-phase schizophrenia patients starting treatment with long-acting injectable vs. oral antipsychotic drugs: Data from the European Long-acting Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia Trial (EULAST)
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
A
L
F
B
W
M
A
DOI：10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.12209.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
BackgroundImproving quality of life (QoL) is a primary objective in the treatment of schizophrenia. The current analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of antipsychotic administration routes on QoL in early-phase schizophrenia (SZ) patients randomized to treatment with either long-acting injectable (LAI) or oral aripiprazole or paliperidone as part of the “European Long-acting Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia Trial” (EULAST).MethodsA total of 492 patients were followed for up to 19 months. QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L. In the primary analysis; the relationships between oral versus LAI treatment and between treatment with paliperidone versus aripiprazole were investigated by fitting generalized estimating equation models. In secondary analyses; we examined the individual dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L; including mobility; self-care; usual activities; pain/discomfort; and anxiety/depression. In subgroup analyses; we estimated the treatment effect on the EQ-5D-5L across clinically relevant subgroups; including sex; age; symptomatology; and side effects.ResultsOverall; EQ-5D-5L scores improved over the course of the study; with no significant differences between patients treated with LAI versus oral antipsychotics (p = 0.662) or between those treated with aripiprazole versus paliperidone (p = 0.266). Subgroup analyses based on sex; age; medication side effects; and psychopathology also did not reveal any significant differences in EQ-5D-5L outcomes between LAI and oral antipsychotic treatment.ConclusionsThese findings indicate comparable QoL in SZ patients starting LAI or oral antipsychotic treatment with aripiprazole or paliperidone. Further research with extended follow-up periods is required to gain deeper insights into potential subgroup-specific benefits and the long-term effects of different antipsychotic administration routes on QoL.
Keywords:
administration route
early-phase schizophrenia
long-acting injectable antipsychotics
oral antipsychotics
quality of life
Journal
IF:
6.7
Papers:
2.1W
Citations:
8.1K
Organization
Cited Papers