Long-acting risperidone in stable patients with schizoaffective disorder

Oral and long-acting risperidone has been shown to be effective for acute and maintenance treatment of patients with schizoaffective disorders. The present analysis investigated the efficacy and tolerability of direct transition from other antipsychotics to risperidone long-acting injectable in patients with schizoaffective disorder.

Patients aged ≥ 18 years with schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV), who required a change of medication, received risperidone long-acting injectable 25mg (increased to 37.5 or 50mg, if necessary) every 2 weeks for 6 months.

The analysis included 249 patients (47% male; mean age 43 years), of whom 74% completed the 6-month study. Mean scores for the total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and all three subscales were significantly reduced from baseline to week 4 (p < 0.001), with further improvements until treatment endpoint. Significant improvements from baseline to endpoint were seen in the mood symptom domains of anxiety/depression (10.4±4.1 vs 8.7±3.9) and uncontrolled hostility/excitement (7.6±3.6 vs 6.9±3.8). Mean Global Assessment of Function (GAF) score improved significantly from 59.4±15.6 at baseline to 66.4±17.7 (p < 0.001) at endpoint. Of 87 patients hospitalized at baseline, 67% were discharged at endpoint. Both quality of life (SF-36) and satisfaction with treatment were improved significantly at endpoint. Total ESRS scores fell progressively throughout the study, and the reduction was already statistically significant (p < 0.001) at 4 weeks. Small but statistically significant (p < 0.001) mean shifts of 1.8% were seen in body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Patients with schizoaffective disorder derived several benefits from a change to risperidone long-acting injectable, including reductions in psychiatric symptoms (particularly the mood symptom domains) and a reduction in the severity of drug-induced neurological movement disorders.