[Rehospitalization rates of newly diagnosed schizophrenic patients on atypical neuroleptic medication].

OBJECTIVE: This research examines how successful recommended longterm medical treatment of schizophrenic patients is following their discharge from inpatient treatment by evaluating the yearly rehospitalization rates.
METHODS: The sample consisted of 76 patients with schizophrenia who were admitted for the first time into Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg within a year. The recommended long-term medical treatment with conventional or atypical antipsychotics of patients after discharge and the one year rehospitalization rate depending on the medical treatment at time of discharge were examined.
RESULTS: After discharge from hospital more than 50 % of the observed patients were treated with atypical antipsychotics like olanzapine, risperidone or amisupride. Only 9 % were discharged with conventional neuroleptics. 38 % of the 76 observed patients had to be readmitted.
CONCLUSIONS: This research shows that the beneficial properties of modern atypical antipsychotics are less favourable on a lower rehospitalization rate than expected.