Identifying patients and clinical scenarios for use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics – expert consensus survey part 1

Introduction

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) were first introduced for the treatment of schizophrenia more than 50 years ago, although they have remained largely underutilized despite more recent availability of second-generation LAIs (SGAs).^1–4 Although their potential clinical utility is well recognized, only 15%–28% of eligible patients with schizophrenia in the USA receive an LAI.³ LAIs may support adherence to maintenance treatment by simplifying medication regimens.^1,5–7 Although some data show comparable outcomes between oral antipsychotics and LAIs,^8,9 several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with schizophrenia demonstrated a significant delay and reduction in relapse with LAIs compared with oral antipsychotics,^10–12 particularly in patients with early-phase or first-episode schizophrenia.^11,12 Furthermore, meta-analyses of mirror-image studies¹³ and cohort studies,¹⁴ which may include more real-world patients than RCTs,¹⁵ have demonstrated a lower risk of all-cause discontinuation and frequency of hospitalizations with LAIs versus oral antipsychotics.

A recent expert consensus guideline from France recommended LAI SGAs as first-line treatment early in schizophrenia (ie, following the first psychotic episode) and for any patient when antipsychotic maintenance treatment is indicated.¹⁶ This differs from the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia, last updated in 2004, which recommended LAIs only for recurrent relapses due to nonadherence or in patients who prefer an LAI.¹⁷ For patients with bipolar I disorder, the 2013 Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments guidelines recommended SGA LAI risperidone as a first-line maintenance option.^18,19 It is not clear how newer LAIs should be incorporated or considered in the context of existing guidelines that place LAIs as most appropriate for a relatively narrow subgroup of patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder.

Antipsychotic nonadherence rates in schizophrenia are high; estimates as high as >50% have been reported.^20,21 Poor adherence with oral medication has been cited as a primary modifiable reason for poor outcomes²² and for prescribing LAIs.^23,24 It has been shown that physicians frequently underestimate poor adherence,^25,26 and this finding, combined with the belief that LAIs should be reserved for nonadherent patients,¹⁶ may contribute to the underuse of LAIs. Negative clinician attitudes and concerns about patient acceptance may also contribute to the underprescribing of LAIs.^4,24,27–30

The low rate of LAI prescribing may also stem from lack of available literature on the appropriate role of these agents. Indeed, currently available clinical trial evidence is insufficient to support treatment decisions in several key areas, such as selecting appropriate patients to receive LAIs, using treatment history as an indicator for use of LAIs, determining efficacy in patients with a recent-onset versus chronic mental illness, and managing adverse effects. Identifying potential barriers that limit the use of LAIs and potential facilitators that would make a healthcare provider more likely to consider using an LAI is important for clinical decision making. The expert consensus survey methodology provides an opportunity to develop clinical recommendations where evidence is lacking or when steps to support clinical decision making cannot be feasibly identified by RCTs.³¹

Aim of the study

This expert consensus survey was conducted to fill gaps in literature and establish recommendations concerning appropriate use of LAIs in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder.

Methods

This expert consensus survey evaluated the relative appropriateness of LAI use for a variety of patient characteristics and clinical scenarios as well as optimal prescribing practices for initiation and continuation/maintenance treatment with LAIs. The survey was administered online via SurveyMonkey^® (San Mateo, CA, USA) between April and November 2016 to experts in the USA and contained 50 questions (total of 916 response options) to elicit respondents’ opinions and practices regarding LAI prescribing for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. Aligned with the patient assessment and clinical decision-making process, the survey was organized into 3 overarching and sequential sections: 1) identifying patients, 2) initiation of therapy, and 3) maintenance treatment (Figure S1). Responses to 29 questions, comprising 577 response options, relating to appropriate patients and clinical scenarios for use of LAIs are reported here.

Survey respondents used a 9-point scale adapted from the RAND method³² to rate predefined options, with some questions including a write-in or comments option. The rating scale ranged from 1 to 9, with 1 representing extremely inappropriate or not important at all and 9 representing extremely appropriate or extremely important. In completing the survey, respondents were asked to draw on their personal clinical experience treating patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorders and their knowledge of research and/or published literature. The survey took approximately 2.5–3 hours to complete and was distributed to 42 experts who were either researchers in mood and psychotic disorders with expertise in LAI trials or clinicians with extensive expertise in the use of multiple LAI formulations. Each research expert met 2 or more of the following criteria: published in the area of adherence or LAI use as it relates to patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and/or bipolar disorder; principal investigator or co-principal investigator for studies involving LAIs for the treatment of schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder; or individual with an advanced degree in psychology, medicine, or associated field who is responsible for the selection of treatment options for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and/or bipolar disorders. Each clinician with extensive expertise fulfilled the following criteria (based on prescribing data): routinely prescribes LAIs in his or her practice; prescribes at least 2 different LAIs in his or her practice; holds an advanced degree in psychology, medicine, or associated field; and is responsible for the decision-making process for the selection of treatment options for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and/or bipolar disorders. Respondents received an honorarium for their participation in the survey and were blinded to the study sponsor. Respondents were informed of the purpose of the survey and invited to continue by clicking a web button, which was deemed as confirming agreement. This study was exempt from approval by an institutional review board; it involved only the use of survey procedures, did not involve children, and the data was aggregated and anonymized such that none of the responses could be linked to any specific respondent.

Statistical analysis

Presence or absence of consensus on each question was defined as a distribution unlikely to occur by chance using the chi-square test (P < 0.05) across 3 ranges of appropriateness (1–3, 4–6, 7–9). Consistent with expert consensus survey methodology,³³ the mean rating with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each option in a given question. Results were summarized graphically with a horizontal box representing the 95% CI for each consecutive option in a given question. Options that received a rating of 9 by ≥50% of respondents were marked by an asterisk and shading was used to indicate consensus. CIs of mean ratings were used to designate first-, second-, or third-line ratings (ie, items were first line if the bottom of the CI boundary was >6.5, second line if the bottom of the CI fell between 3.5 and 6.5, and third line [not appropriate] if the bottom of the CI was <3.5). Tests of significance were not performed for most items; however, wider gaps between CIs generally indicate smaller P-values. Expert consensus related to identifying appropriate patients and clinical scenarios for LAI use and facilitators of and barriers to use of LAIs are summarized in this report.

Results

A total of 175 experts were invited to take the survey, 42 of whom agreed to participate (24%). Of those sent the survey, 34 experts completed it (81%). A list of all survey respondents and their affiliations is provided in Table S1. The demographics and experience of the expert panel are summarized in Table 1. Most respondents were psychiatrists and researchers with expertise in prescribing LAI and conducting studies using LAIs; the panel included 7 clinicians with extensive LAI prescribing expertise (high prescribers). Overall, experts had a relatively high level of clinical experience. More than half reported spending either half, a majority, or all of their time in clinical practice. In addition, they reported spending a mean of 30% of their time treating or supervising the treatment of patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and 25% of their time treating or supervising the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. The first survey question asked how confident these experts were in assessing their patients’ adherence to oral medication, and most indicated they were only somewhat confident (45%) or not very confident (33%).

Table 1 Demographics and practice characteristics of expert panel Note: aSome experts may have provided >1 response. Abbreviations: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic; NIMH/NIH, National Institute of Mental Health/National Institutes of Health.

Selecting appropriate patients

Experts rated the appropriateness of initiating an LAI in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder based on a variety of demographic and clinical characteristics. Options that received a ranking of 9 by >50% on experts were considered extremely appropriate. Options rated first line were considered very or usually appropriate, second line as somewhat appropriate, and third line as inappropriate. For a patient with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder who has been treated with an antipsychotic medication for ≥2 years, regardless of whether the person is considered generally adherent or not; the experts gave first-line rankings (very or usually appropriate) to considering an LAI in the following clinical situations: poor insight into illness and need for treatment, homeless or unstable housing situation, history of multiple (>2) hospitalizations for psychotic relapses, history of violence to others, living alone, history of a suicide attempt, substance use disorder, prominent psychotic symptoms, young adult (age 18–25 years), and cognitive impairment. As can be seen in Figure 1, recommendations for a patient with bipolar disorder who has been treated with medication for ≥2 years and is considered generally adherent to treatment were generally the same as for schizophrenia but with only 2 items receiving first-line consensus: history of multiple hospitalizations and homeless or unstable housing situation. If the adherence of the longer-term patient with bipolar disorder is questionable, the experts also gave first-line ratings to a history of violence and poor insight.

Figure 1 Expert consensus on selecting appropriate patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorders for LAI treatment. Notes: Rating scale: 1 = extremely inappropriate, 2–3 = usually inappropriate, 4–6 = sometimes appropriate, 7–8 = usually appropriate, 9 = extremely appropriate. Horizontal bars represent CIs. *Options that received highest ranking by ≥50% of respondents. Open bars indicate no consensus; shaded bars indicate consensus (dark shading = first line; medium shading = second line; light shading = third line). Colors of the survey questions correlate to the colors in the figure. Abbreviation: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.

Results were similar when experts were asked about patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder of recent onset. For a patient with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder with onset during the previous 2 years, a history of multiple (>2) hospitalizations for psychotic relapses, homeless or unstable housing situation, and history of violence to others were rated by ≥50% of experts as extremely appropriate (rating = 9) factors for LAI use. Poor insight into illness and need for treatment, living alone, prominent psychotic symptoms, and history of suicide attempt also received first-line ratings.

Recommendations for LAI use in a patient with bipolar disorder of recent onset (<2 years) were similar to those for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, but only homeless or unstable housing situation, history of violence to others, and history of multiple (>2) hospitalizations for bipolar relapses received consensus ratings as usually appropriate.

When considering treatment history, factors considered by consensus to be extremely appropriate for LAI use in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder were similar regardless of adherence status (Table 2). Experts agreed that patients who have a preference for LAIs, have done well on an LAI in the past, or have family conflict related to oral medication nonadherence are all extremely appropriate candidates for LAI treatment. In patients with questionable adherence, frequently missing clinic appointments was an additional scenario in which LAI use was considered to be extremely appropriate (Table 2).

Table 2 Expert consensus on selecting patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder who are appropriate for LAI treatment based on treatment history Notes: aRating scale: 1 = extremely inappropriate, 2–3 = usually inappropriate, 4–6 = sometimes appropriate, 7–8 = usually appropriate, 9 = extremely appropriate; bold indicates an option rated 9 by ≥50% of the experts. bHigh second-line options are those for which the upper value of the CI is ≥6.5, the boundary for first line. Abbreviation: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.

When considering treatment history in patients with bipolar disorder who were treated with medication for ≥2 years, consensus was reached on 2 situations as extremely appropriate for LAI use (Table 3). Similar to schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, ≥50% of experts agreed that LAIs are extremely appropriate for patients with bipolar disorder who prefer an LAI, regardless of treatment adherence. In addition, experts agreed it is extremely appropriate (rated 9 by ≥50% of the experts) to use an LAI for a patient with bipolar disorder when adherence is questionable and an LAI has worked well in the past (Table 3). Other factors considered usually appropriate for LAI use in patients with bipolar disorder treated with medication for ≥2 years who are assumed to be generally adherent to treatment were those with a history of suboptimal adherence to medications, having previously done well on an LAI, and frequently missing clinic appointments. In those with questionable adherence, experts agreed that LAIs are usually appropriate when adherence to medications has been suboptimal in the past, clinic appointments are frequently missed, prior lithium or anticonvulsant mood stabilizer treatment has failed, relapses are predominantly manic, or when the therapeutic alliance is good.

Table 3 Expert consensus on selecting patients with bipolar disorder who are appropriate for LAI treatment based on treatment history Notes: aRating scale: 1 = extremely inappropriate, 2–3 = usually inappropriate, 4–6 = sometimes appropriate, 7–8 = usually appropriate, 9 = extremely appropriate; bold indicates an option rated 9 by ≥50% of the experts. bHigh second-line options are those for which the upper value of the CI is ≥6.5, the boundary for first line. Abbreviation: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.

Facilitators of and barriers to prescribing long-acting injectable antipsychotics

Experts were also asked to rank the importance of potential barriers to healthcare providers prescribing LAIs. Barriers were divided into 3 different categories: patient related, system related, or medication related. Although none of the barriers received first-line ratings (indicating that none were viewed as barriers that consistently stood out as being most important), a number of barriers did receive high second-line ratings. For potential patient-related barriers, high second-line consensus ratings were given for a patient who does not want an injection and/or is afraid of needles, perceives LAIs as coercive or punitive, and whose family does not support use of LAIs. When asked about potential system-related barriers, LAIs not being adequately covered by insurance plans, inability to bill for injection and office visit on the same day, and LAI being too costly were all factors that received high second-line consensus ratings. Finally, medication-related barriers receiving high second-line consensus ratings were the patient having had a previous bad experience with an LAI and the existence of treatment guidelines that suggest reserving LAIs for patients with multiple relapses, nonadherence, or previous LAI experience. Lack of clarity concerning the appropriate LAI dosage received a consensus second-line rating.

In addition to ranking potential LAI barriers, respondents were also asked to write in what they considered to be the top 3 barriers limiting use of LAIs. The most important barriers were all potentially modifiable factors and included drug cost, insurance reimbursement, negative patient perceptions of LAIs, stigma associated with injections, lack of knowledge of or experience with LAIs, and limited staff/infrastructure (Table S2).

After rating potential barriers to LAI use, the experts ranked the relative importance of a list of factors, beliefs, and perceptions as potential facilitators to LAI prescribing in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. All options, with the exception of LAIs being less expensive than oral medication, were considered to be important facilitators of LAI use. More than half of experts agreed that reducing the risk of relapse and hospitalization and improving patient outcomes were extremely important facilitators of LAI use (rated 9 by ≥50% of experts). A complete list of facilitators rated as first line and high second line is provided in Table 4.

Table 4 First- and high second-line expert ratings on the importance of potential facilitators for consideration of LAI use in a patient with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder Notes: aRating scale: 1 = not important at all, 2–3 = not very important, 4–6 = somewhat important, 7–8 = important, 9 = extremely important; bold indicates an option rated 9 by ≥50% of the experts. bHigh second-line options are those for which the upper value of the CI is ≥6.5, the boundary for first line. Abbreviation: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.

Discussion

Findings from this survey on patient selection for LAIs generally align with research on risk factors for nonadherence and poor outcomes in people with severe mental disorders.^23,34 Consistent with current APA guidelines in schizophrenia,¹⁶ experts considered LAI antipsychotics an appropriate option for individuals with known nonadherence or questionable adherence. Beyond nonadherence, experts positioned LAIs as an appropriate treatment for patients with more severe illness or limited social supports or for those at a particularly high risk of relapse.

There was more consensus on what constitutes the appropriate use of LAIs for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder than for bipolar disorder. This tendency likely reflects a general lack of published data and experience to inform evidence-based treatment decisions on LAI use in patients with bipolar disorder. Overall, recommendations were similar for patients with fairly recent disease onset (<2 years) versus those diagnosed and receiving medication for ≥2 years, suggesting that experts may support broader use of LAIs beyond the current APA guidance.¹⁷ Although experts rated a greater number of scenarios as usually appropriate for LAI use when patients have questionable adherence, a number of additional clinical scenarios were also considered usually appropriate in patients with assumed adherence. This finding suggests that experts may recommend LAIs as a strategy to prevent relapse due to factors other than adherence alone or that they consider using LAIs preemptively, assuming that nonadherence is likely in the future.

When experts ranked potential barriers to LAI prescribing by healthcare providers, no barriers were consistently rated as being most important. This may indicate that most barriers were seen as surmountable. Consensus was achieved on several high second-line factors related to other types of barriers such as fear of needles (patient-related barrier), LAIs not being adequately covered by insurance plans (system-related barrier), and the appropriate dosage not being clear (medication-related barrier). Write-in answers on the 3 most important barriers to LAI use in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder were medication cost/lack of insurance reimbursement, negative perceptions of and stigma associated with LAIs, and lack of knowledge and experience concerning how to use and dose LAIs. These recommendations are consistent with the observations in a previous systematic literature review, which additionally reported regional differences in LAI prescribing based on acceptance of community-based systems of care.³⁵ The experts agreed on numerous factors that may facilitate LAI use, with more than half of the experts rating reduced risk of relapse/hospitalization and improved patient outcomes as being extremely important facilitators. This is consistent with meta-analytic findings from mirror image and cohort studies of LAIs versus oral antipsychotics^13,14 as well as several RCTs in patients with recently diagnosed schizophrenia.^10–12

Although the 2004 APA schizophrenia guidelines generally recommended LAIs for patients who prefer an LAI or for those who are nonadherent,¹⁶ newer guidelines recommend LAI SGAs as first-line treatment for schizophrenia and as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder.^16,18,36 Although disadvantages of LAIs include longer time to achieve steady state and less flexibility with dose adjustments,¹ LAIs may also simplify the treatment regimen and reduce patient medication-taking burden.^1,5,37 Advantages of LAIs beyond potentially improving adherence include being able to obtain an accurate assessment of dosing and regularity of treatment actually received, potentially strengthening the therapeutic alliance,⁴ and slower antipsychotic clearance, which may decrease the risk of clinical deterioration if a patient abruptly discontinues treatment.^1,5,37

Although expert consensus guidelines in France have recommended early use of LAIs for patients with schizophrenia,¹⁶ European surveys show that clinicians still tend to reserve LAIs for patients later in the disease course.^38–40 Results from this survey suggest that a shift may be occurring in the USA, with experts and high prescribers viewing LAIs as also being appropriate early in the course of schizophrenia. Earlier use of LAIs may potentially limit the progressive decline in functioning associated with disease recurrence.^41–43 Two prospective randomized trials in first-episode patients with schizophrenia found that frontal lobe white matter volume changes differed between patients receiving the LAI risperidone than in those receiving oral risperidone;^42,43 in the first of these studies, greater white matter volume in the LAI group was associated with faster reaction times during cognitive performance testing.⁴² The expert consensus survey reported here also suggests that LAIs are usually appropriate for early-stage schizophrenia, when patients have a lot to gain (and to lose) psychosocially and functionally. Clinically, however, LAIs do not seem to be used preferentially in younger patients. For example, Barnes et al found no age or sex differences between patients who were prescribed LAIs and those prescribed oral antipsychotics in a UK study.²⁷

There are a number of limitations to this survey, including low overall response rate and a sample size that was relatively small and insufficient to compare the responses of research experts versus high prescribers. Additionally, the duration of time needed to complete the survey may introduce the risk of inconsistent responses. Further, LAIs were considered as a group and individual differences between LAIs were not emphasized when seeking expert opinion. However, the completion rate for this survey was high overall, and methodological strengths included the blinded format (survey respondents were not provided information on funding source) and US national representation of experts. Moreover, the methodology has previously been used to provide guidance for treatment decisions in patients with schizophrenia^44,45 and bipolar disorder.⁴⁶

Results from this expert consensus suggest that more research is needed to better understand how LAIs should be positioned in the treatment armamentarium for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorder, including how barriers to LAI use should be addressed and how facilitators of use may be best utilized. The rest of the survey results are presented in an accompanying paper.⁴⁷

In conclusion, where clinical trial data are insufficient, the expert consensus survey method provides quantitative data that can be used to develop clinical recommendations based on expert opinion.³¹ In addition to providing recommendations on the use of LAIs in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, these survey findings may also help guide future research in this area.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. Editorial support for the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Sheri Arndt, PharmD, and Alan Klopp, PhD, of C4 MedSolutions, LLC (Yardley, PA, USA), a CHC Group company, with funding from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and H Lundbeck A/S.

Disclosure

MS, MB, CUC, and JMK received consulting fees from Otsuka for their roles in the beta testing of the survey and data analysis for this study. MS has received research support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Reinberger Foundation, Reuter Foundation, Alkermes, Otsuka, and the Woodruff Foundation; has been a consultant for Bracket, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Pfizer, Prophase, Health Analytics, and Supernus; has received royalties from Johns Hopkins University Press, Lexicomp, Oxford University Press, Springer Press, and UpToDate; has participated in CME activities for the American Physician Institute, CMEology, and MCM Education; and was compensated by Otsuka for her work on the survey development and data analysis for this study. SNL was an employee of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., at the time of the study. CUC has received grant or research support from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, The Bendheim Foundation, and Takeda; has served as a member of advisory boards/the Data Safety Monitoring Boards for Alkermes, IntraCellular Therapies, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Otsuka, Pfizer, and Sunovion; and has served as a consultant to Alkermes, Allergan, the Gerson Lehrman Group, IntraCellular Therapies, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, LB Pharma, Lundbeck, Medscape, Otsuka, Pfizer, ProPhase, Sunovion, Supernus, and Takeda. He has presented expert testimony for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, and Otsuka and has received honorarium from Medscape and travel expenses from Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Sunovion, and Takeda. JMK has received honoraria for lectures and/or consulting from Alkermes, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Forrest, Genentech, Intracellular Therapeutics, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Lundbeck, Merck, Neurocrine, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Proteus, Reviva, Roche, Sunovion, Takeda, and Teva and is a shareholder of MedAvante, LB Pharma, and The Vanguard Research Group. FD is an employee of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization. HF is an employee of Lundbeck. RR is a paid consultant for Otsuka and was compensated for her work on the survey and data analysis. MB has received grant or research support from NIH and Otsuka. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

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Supplementary materials

Figure S1 Organization of survey. Note: To simulate the treatment decision process, questions were organized into 3 main areas: identifying patients, initiation of therapy, and maintenance treatment. Abbreviation: LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.

Table S1 Survey respondents

Table S2 General summary of expert opinion on the top barriers to the use of LAIs in the field Abbreviations: FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; LAI, long-acting injectable antipsychotic.