P-06 A Descriptive Study on Patient Profiles and Prescribing Practices of Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics at the Georgetown Public Hospital from January 2015 to December 2023.
Author(s):
S Fredericks, J October
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients prescribed long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI), as well
as the prescribing practices at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Psychiatric clinic. Research question: What are the characteristics of patients prescribed LAI, as
well as the prescribing practices at the Georgetown Public
Hospital Corporation’s Psychiatric clinic? Hypothesis: Psychosocial factors are not associated with prescribing patterns of long-acting injectable antipsychotics at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by chart review of sociodemographic, clinical, and prescription data. Population=862; sample size=343. The Chi-square test and t-test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A significant level of p≤0.05 was established. All statistical analyses were conducted using R programming language version 4.40.
Results: The mean age was 40.02 years (SD ±13.05 years), male (63.8%), African descent (56.0%), unemployed (56.6%), and single (79.6%). The age difference between the Fluphenazine and Zuclopenthixol groups was statistically significant(p<0.001). The prevalence of Fluphenazine and Zuclopenthixol were 62.1% and 37.9% respectively. Schizophrenia spectrum & other psychotic disorders were the most common diagnosis (63.8%) and non-compliance (37.3%) was the most common indication for LAI use (37.3%). Fluphenazine prescription was associated with a longer duration of illness and treatment(p<0.001), and oncemonthly dose frequency(p=0.001); Zuclopenthixol use was associated with psychiatric comorbidities(p=0.049) and non-compliance(p<0.001). Polypharmacy prevalence was 88.05%. The duration of LAI treatment was ≥3 years.
Conclusion: The findings of this study provided evidence supporting the association of psychosocial factors with the prescription of LAI antipsychotics at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. This study illuminates the need for further research into areas such as prescriber preferences, patient preferences and insights into relapse rates. By shedding light on prescribing behaviors and patient attributes, the research seeks to provide information which may enhance therapeutic decision making, optimize treatment outcomes and ultimately elevate the quality of care for individuals with psychiatric disorders.