Among patients with schizophrenia, rates of non- adherence around 40-50% have been reported. Non-adherence increases risk of relapse and it is the main cause of re-hospitalization.

The aim of this study is to describe a sample of outpatients treated with long-acting injectable risperidone (RLAI), as well as to define the retention rates to the treatment.

Outpatients treated with RLAI for some psychotic disorder during 2005 have been included in the study. Age, gender, diagnosis, drug abuse, hospitalizations, previous treatments, coadyuvant treatments, compliance with treatment and reasons for treatment withdrawal have been analyzed. Descriptive data are shown.

Seventy-six out-patients treated with RLAI have been analyzed. 55.3% of them were male, and mean age was 41.33±11.33 years. Main diagnosis were schizophrenia and schizoafective disorder (45 and 10 patients, respectively). More than 40% of patients were taking some drug of abuse. Around 75% of patients had some hospitalization in the previous 5 years, and 10.8% of them were hospitalized in 2005. Almost half of the patients were receiving oral risperidone before the start of treatment with RLAI, and 20% had been receiving depot medication. After one year, 73.7% of patients were still under RLAI treatment. The main reason for treatment withdrawal was the loss of follow-up.

Retention rates in RLAI treatment found in the present study were similar to those previously reported. Hospitalizations seem to be reduced after the start of RLAI treatment.