Use and discontinuation of antipsychotic medication in 20 years following a first episode of schizophrenia: results from the OPUS trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Short-term exposure to antipsychotics has proven to be beneficial. However, naturalistic studies are lacking regarding the long-term use of antipsychotics. This study aimed to investigate changes in use of antipsychotics over 20 years after a first-episode schizophrenia.

Methods

This study is part of the Danish OPUS trial (1998-2000), including 496 participants with first-episode schizophrenia. Participants were reassessed four times over 20 years. The main outcomes were days on medication, redeemed prescriptions of clozapine, psychiatric hospitalizations, and employment.

Results

At the 20-year follow-up, an attrition of 71% was detected. In total, 143 out of 496 participated, with 36% (n = 51) in remission-of-psychotic-symptoms-off-medication. The

SUBMITTER: Hansen HG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11650151 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature