Second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) constitute a valuable alternative for the treatment of schizophrenia and combine advantages of both long-acting injectable drugs and atypical antipsychotics. Realistic, naturalistic studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of LAIs on specific cluster of symptoms.

To collect clinical and functioning outcomes in outpatients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs during a follow-up period of 6 months.

To determine the impact on symptoms and functioning of second-generation LAIs.

It is a 6-month naturalistic, observational, prospective, non-interventional study of patients diagnosed with DSM-V schizophrenia disorder. Clinical data were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). For statistical analysis, we used the Wallwork's five-factor model of the PANSS.

A total of 50 schizophrenia patients (70% male; mean age: 36.2±10.4) referred to the Depot Clinic at Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome was included. Eight patients received treatment with risperidone LAI (RLAI), 20 with paliperidone-palmitate LAI (PLAI), 10 with olanzapine-pamoate LAI (OLAI) and 12 with aripiprazole LAI (ALAI). LAIs were overall associated with improved functioning and positive symptoms; OLAI, ALAI e PLAI correlated with improved negative symptoms, RLAI, OLAI e PLAI with improved disorganised/concrete symptoms, OLAI e PLAI with improved excited symptoms; ALAI improved depressive symptoms.

Over the 6-month period, LAIs were associated with improved functioning and illness severity in schizophrenia patients with different symptoms profile. Treatment with PLAI and OLAI showed the major clinical advantages, whereas only ALAI correlated with improved depressive symptoms.