Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Use in Children and Adolescents in Comparison to Adults

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of long-acting injectable anti-psychotic treatment (LAIA) amongst children and adolescents. Given the difficulty of performing an randomized controlled trial (RCT), we suggested comparing children and adolescents to young adults who were treated with LAIAs, and extrapolating data regarding efficacy and safety. Method: We compared data from medical files of adult inpatients treated with LAIAs to children and adolescent inpatients treated with LAIAs, between January 2014 and April 2021. Results: clinical global impression (CGI) scale score and rate of side effects (79% vs. 92%, p-value = 0.106) were not different between children and adolescents and young adults treated with LAIAs. There were no significant differences found between the groups in most demographic and clinical parameters such as gender distribution, legal status (voluntary or involuntary hospitalization), first hospitalizations and subsequent hospitalizations. Significant differences were found in duration of hospitalizations (144 days vs.50 days, p-value < 0.001), the indication for recommending LAIA treatment, diagnosis, the distribution of specific LAIAs and the rates of patients treated for side effects of anti-psychotic treatment. Conclusions: Results suggest that LAIA treatment may be as effective amongst children and adolescents as it is for adults. More research should be done to assess safety and efficacy of LAIA treatment in children and adolescents in the short and long term.