Relapse rate among patients with schizophrenia can determinate outcome of illness. Up to 40% of patients with first psychosis responds well to treatment. Despite this fact relapse rate is still high, in particular if treatment is discontinuated. Frequent use of first generation antipsychotics (FGA) in underdeveloped countries can be one of possible reasons for treatment discontinuation and consequent relapse.

To analyse rehospitalisation rate in patients with first and multiple episodes of schizophrenia, and compare it with medication choice.

Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with schizophrenia hospitalised in Psychiatry Clinic of University Clinical Center Tuzla in period from year 2011 to 2013.

During the two-year period, 37 patients with first episode of schizophrenia were hospitalised. Second generation antipsychotics (SGA) were used in 40.5%, and first generation in 13.5%, long acting injectibles - first generation (LAI) were used in 8.1%, and combination of FGA's and SGA's in 5.4% of cases. In the same period, 121 patients with multiple episodes of schizophrenia were hospitalised. SGA were used in 21.4%, FGA in 33%, LAI's in 47.1%, and combination FGA's and SGA's in 35.5% of cases. Relapse rate in the first year after discharge was 16.2% in group with first psychotic episode, and 33% in the group with multiple episodes of schizophrenia.

High relapse rate in group with multiple episodes can be explained with nonadherence regarding the side effects of too frequent use of FGA's.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.