Real-world antipsychotic prescribing patterns in psychotic disorders: polypharmacy, clozapine, and long-acting injectable use in a tertiary outpatient cohort
AI Summary
Antipsychotic polypharmacy remains common: 32.4% received two or more agents, despite guidelines favouring monotherapy.
Clozapine was prescribed in 25.4% and independently associated with longer illness duration and greater PANSS negative symptom burden, suggesting delayed initiation.
Long acting injectable use was low at 18.4%. Polypharmacy linked to longer illness and lower employment, reflecting treatment complexity and need for individualized strategies.
Ir J Med Sci. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s11845-026-04537-2. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) remains common in schizophrenia despite guideline recommendations favoring monotherapy. Real-world prescribing patterns involving clozapine and long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics may offer insights into treatment complexity in tertiary psychiatric settings.
METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 114 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder attending a tertiary psychotic disorders unit in Türkiye between June and November 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were obtained from routine records. Symptom severity and functioning were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and Global Assessment of Functioning. Patients were evaluated by APP status, clozapine use, and LAI use. Logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with APP and clozapine treatment.
RESULTS: Overall, 65.7% received antipsychotic monotherapy, while 32.4% received two or more agents. Aripiprazole (30.7%), olanzapine (28.1%), and clozapine (25.4%) were most frequently prescribed, with aripiprazole the most common in APP regimens. LAIs were prescribed in 18.4% of patients. APP was associated with longer illness duration and lower employment rates. Clozapine use was independently associated with longer illness duration and higher PANSS negative symptom scores.
CONCLUSIONS: APP remains common in tertiary outpatient psychotic disorders care and may reflect treatment complexity beyond illness severity, underscoring individualized prescribing strategies. Clozapine use is associated with longer illness duration and greater negative symptom burden, although delays in initiation may persist. Prospective studies are needed to clarify optimal strategies and improve individualized care.
Probl Sotsialnoi Gig Zdravookhranenniiai Istor Med. 2026 Jun 27;34(0):400-405. doi: 10.32687/0869-866X-2026-34-s1-400-405.ABSTRACTIn the young population, a persistent trend toward an increase in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)...
Probl Sotsialnoi Gig Zdravookhranenniiai Istor Med. 2026 Jun 27;34(0):526-531. doi: 10.32687/0869-866X-2026-34-s1-526-531.ABSTRACTMaritime service is a challenging profession. In addition to demanding physical labor under real risks...
Probl Sotsialnoi Gig Zdravookhranenniiai Istor Med. 2026 Jun 27;34(0):513-519. doi: 10.32687/0869-866X-2026-34-s1-513-519.ABSTRACTIn the context of contemporary globalization, rural residents frequently encounter multiple barriers when attempting to...
J Sports Sci. 2026 Jul 5:1-14. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2026.2698229. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSport fans can experience a variety of dysfunctional emotions and maladaptive behaviors, including anger,...
Birth. 2026 Jul 5. doi: 10.1111/birt.70092. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Women from minoritized backgrounds experience disproportionately higher perinatal mortality than white women, with stillbirth rates...
