Oddur Ingimarsson1,2, James H MacCabe3,4, Magnús Haraldsson1,2, Halldóra Jónsdóttir1,2, Engilbert Sigurdsson1,2. 1. a Faculty of Medicine , School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland , Reykjavik , Iceland ; 2. b Mental Health Services, Landspitali University Hospital , Reykjavik , Iceland ; 3. c Kings College London , UK ; 4. d National Psychosis Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust , London , UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clozapine is the only drug approved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. There is evidence that clozapine is underutilized. AIMS: To evaluate the initiation and discontinuation of clozapine at Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland and the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy in clozapine-treated patients. METHODS: The study is a part of an ongoing longitudinal study of schizophrenia in Iceland. We identified 201 patients on clozapine or who have been on clozapine by using a keyword search in the electronic health records and by reviewing their medical records. RESULTS: Mean age at first treatment with clozapine was 37.8 years. Mean follow-up period on clozapine was 11 years. After 20 years of treatment 71.2% of patients were still on clozapine. After one year of treatment 84.4% of patients were still receiving clozapine treatment. We estimate that 11.4% of patients with schizophrenia in Iceland are taking clozapine and that 16% have been treated with clozapine at some point. Polypharmacy is common, since nearly 2/3, 65.6%, of patients taking clozapine use at least one other antipsychotic and 16.9% are also receiving depot injections. CONCLUSIONS: We need to increase the awareness of psychiatrists in Iceland with regard to treatment with clozapine, since only about half of the estimated population of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia in Iceland have ever been treated with clozapine. Nearly two thirds of patients who are prescribed clozapine in Iceland remain on it long-term.
BACKGROUND:Clozapine is the only drug approved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. There is evidence that clozapine is underutilized. AIMS: To evaluate the initiation and discontinuation of clozapine at Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland and the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy in clozapine-treated patients. METHODS: The study is a part of an ongoing longitudinal study of schizophrenia in Iceland. We identified 201 patients on clozapine or who have been on clozapine by using a keyword search in the electronic health records and by reviewing their medical records. RESULTS: Mean age at first treatment with clozapine was 37.8 years. Mean follow-up period on clozapine was 11 years. After 20 years of treatment 71.2% of patients were still on clozapine. After one year of treatment 84.4% of patients were still receiving clozapine treatment. We estimate that 11.4% of patients with schizophrenia in Iceland are taking clozapine and that 16% have been treated with clozapine at some point. Polypharmacy is common, since nearly 2/3, 65.6%, of patients taking clozapine use at least one other antipsychotic and 16.9% are also receiving depot injections. CONCLUSIONS: We need to increase the awareness of psychiatrists in Iceland with regard to treatment with clozapine, since only about half of the estimated population of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia in Iceland have ever been treated with clozapine. Nearly two thirds of patients who are prescribed clozapine in Iceland remain on it long-term.
Authors: Mina Boazak; Benjamin Kahn; Lindsay Cox; James Ragazino; David R Goldsmith; Robert O Cotes Journal: Clin Schizophr Relat Psychoses Date: 2018-06-26
Authors: Graham Blackman; Ebenezer Oloyede; Mark Horowitz; Robert Harland; David Taylor; James MacCabe; Philip McGuire Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 9.306