Clinical, Quality of Life, and Health Care Utilization Outcomes of Switching the Administration Route of Antipsychotic Medications Among People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the clinical, quality of life, and health care utilization outcomes of switching patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder from oral antipsychotic medications to long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. The review of 41 studies involving 15,754 patients found that switching to LAIs significantly reduced symptom severity (measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Clinical Global Impression), decreased rehospitalizations and emergency department visits, and improved social functioning (assessed by the Personal and Social Performance scale). While overall medical care costs declined after switching to LAIs, pharmacy costs increased, with no consistent change observed in outpatient visit frequency. These findings suggest that LAIs may enhance clinical outcomes and reduce certain health care utilizations, although increased pharmacy costs and variable outpatient visit patterns warrant further investigation.