Encephale
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Poor adherence is a major concern for the effectiveness of antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia. In particular, compliance problems constitute a poor prognostic factor for this disorder due to increasing risk of relapse and hospitalization. As maintaining antipsychotic therapy is a key element to prevent relapse, the use of depot preparations is therefore considered as a useful therapeutic option since it prevents covert non-adherence. When compared with neuroleptics, novel antipsychotic agents are also better tolerated by patients. In this study, the rationale for the use of long-acting injectable risperidone combining the benefits of novel antipsychotic agent and depot preparation is investigated in patients with psychosis. A secondary objective of the study is to assess the level of therapeutic adherence and to confirm the role of its key determinants. ⋯ In this French survey, the two main reasons for psychiatrists to start long-acting injectable risperidone were related to non-compliance with oral antipsychotic treatment and with the desire to improve therapeutic efficacy. In accordance with results of previous studies, insight and therapeutic alliance were found to be associated with poor compliance. The main goal in the treatment of psychotic disorders is to obtain a functional remission and to reduce the incidence of relapse. Considering its improved efficiency and reduced dependence on patient compliance, the use of long-acting injectable risperidone is recommended as a useful therapeutic strategy.