To evaluate the outcome of patients with schizophrenia during maintenance treatment with OLAI.

Data from three studies with OLAI were pooled and patients classified according to a cluster analysis [Lipkovich, Psychiatry Res, 2009] into five categories according severity of psychiatric symptoms (sx) and functional impairment (imp):

1. A (minimal sx/mild imp),

2. B (minimal sx/moderate imp),

3. C (moderate sx/mild to moderate imp),

4. D (moderate sx/severe imp),

5. E (moderate to severe sx/severe imp).

Improvement was defined as a change from B or C to A, or from D or E to A, B or C. Changes between the categories in the 6 months were analyzed. Stepwise logistic regression modeling was done to determine factors associated with improvement.

1182 patients were classified. Patients who remained in the studies at 6 months had lower baseline CGI-S (3.04 vs 3.28, p < 0.001), lower PANSS (61.38 vs 64.05, p = 0.012) and higher QLS (1.76 vs 1.39, p = 0.001). (Table 1) As patients in category A couldn’t improve and in category D&E couldn’t worsen, 261(39%) patients from categories B, C, D and E improved and only 55(10%) from categories A, B and C got worse during 6 months. Baseline factors associated with improvement were: baseline category (p < 0.001), CGI-S score (p = 0.022), and PANSS positive (p = 0.003)

Majority of patients with schizophrenia who stay on 6 months treatment with OLAI improve or maintain their symptoms and functioning level. The strongest factor associated with a higher chance of improvement was poor baseline category.