EPA-0216 – Insight Changes and its Relationship to Psychopathology in Delusional Disorder Patients Receiving Longacting Injectable Antipsychotics

Abstract

Introduction:

Poor insight has been associated to positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. However, the impact of antipsychotic treatment on insight in delusional disorder (DD) has not well defined.

Objectives:

Our purpose was to investigate the impact of long-acting atypical antipsychotics (PPLAI, RLAI) on insight in DD patients.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective and observational study by including 60 consecutive cases of DD outpatients, which were followed up for at least 6 months. Outcome variables: Scores in the first three items of the SUMD for Insight, PANSS for psychopathology, HRSD-17 for depression and PSP for functionality. The sample was divided into two groups according to the treatment received: oral or long-acting atypical antipsychotics (RLAI or PPLAI). T and Chi-square tests were used. Insight differences between both groups were investigated by applying Analysis of Covariance.

Results:

At baseline, DD patients treated with long-acting injectable antipsychotics had higher scores in awareness of social consequences. Although no statistically significant differences were found, after 6 months of treatment, patients receiving long-acting injectable antipsychotics showed a tendency of improvement of awareness of illness, awareness of the effects of medication and awareness of social consequences. Statistically significant treatment group*PANSS total score interactions were found for awareness for social consequences. After controlling for SUMD baseline and PANSS total scores, DD patients treated with long-acting antipsychotics showed an improvement of awareness of the effects of medications and social consequences.

Conclusions:

Patients receiving long-acting injectable antipsychotics showed an improvement in psychotic symptoms and insight dimensions.