Publication details
Management of schizophrenia patients in acute setting - a multinational survey of prescription patterns in five European countries
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13651501.2025.2594101 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1080/13651501.2025.2594101 |
| Keywords | Schizophrenia; prescription patterns; first psychotic episode; relapse; second-generation antipsychotic |
| Description | Objective To analyse the use of antipsychotics for first-episode of psychosis (FEP) and relapsed schizophrenia, and the impact of predominant symptoms on decision making. Methods A survey among 150 European psychiatrists was conducted using computer-assisted web interviewing to assess preferred medications, switching, dose adjustments, and maintenance therapy in acute FEP and relapse settings. Results Negative or affective symptoms were reported as prevalent in 55% of FEP and 59% of relapsed schizophrenia cases, indicating significant unmet treatment needs. Olanzapine and risperidone were the most commonly prescribed antipsychotics for FEP, with treatment choices influenced by symptom profiles. Long-acting injectables (LAIs) were prescribed to 28% of FEP patients, with notable variation across countries (15-43%; p < 0.05). During hospitalisation, 41% of patients required therapy adjustments, while discharge decisions were driven by drug tolerability and symptom severity. For relapsed patients, non-adherence was identified as the primary cause of relapse (71%), and olanzapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole were the most prescribed treatments. Post-discharge adjustments for relapsed patients focused on adherence and long-term treatment goals. Conclusion Despite the prevalence of negative or affective symptoms in FEP and relapsed patients, traditional antipsychotics remain the most prescribed treatments. Non-adherence and variability in LAI usage highlight the need for improved symptom-specific approaches and standardised LAI protocols. |