To increase treatment compliance and consequently to reach clinical and rehabilitation goals in people with schizophrenia is a main challenge in their treatment.

To know the retention in treatment (and reasons for discharge) of people with severe schizophrenia enrolled in a specific, intensive, comprehensive and community programme for them; and also to know treatment (clinical and functional) outcomes.

A 6-year prospective, observational study of patients with severe schizophrenia (ICD 10: F 20; CGI-S ≥ 5) undergoing specific severe mental illness programme (n = 200). Assessment included the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S), the Camberwell Assessment of Needs (CAN) and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS). Time in treatment and reasons of discharge were measured. Laboratory tests, weight and medications were reported. Hospital admissions were measured.

CGI at baseline was 5.86 ± 0.7. After 6 years 48% of patients continued under treatment (CGI = 4.31 ± 0.8; P < 0.01); 31% were medical discharged (CGI = 3.62 ± 1.6; P < 0.001); DAS decreased in the four areas (P < 0.01) and also CAN (P < 0.01); 7% had moved to other places; 8% were voluntary discharges. Eight patients dead; three of them committed suicide. Forty-five percent of all of them were treated with atypical long-acting antipsychotics, with good tolerability. There were significantly less hospital admissions than during the previous 6 years (P < 0.001).

Retention of severe mentally ill patients with schizophrenia in a specific and intensive care programme was really high; and seemed to help getting in remarkable clinical and functional improvement. Long-acting medication also seemed to be useful on improving treatment adherence, mainly due to their good tolerability.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.