Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Abstract We studied 61 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who discontinued medication after achieving symptomatic remission. Over 3 years, relapse rates were significantly higher in those not meeting full recovery (p = 0.006) or remission (p < 0.001) criteria, with rates up to twice a...

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Main Authors: Ling Li, Thi Hung Le, Woo Sung Kim, Soyolsaikhan Odkhuu, Chae Yeong Kang, Ariana Setiani, EunJin Jeon, Fatima Zahra Rami, Young-Chul Chung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Schizophrenia
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-025-00592-3
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author Ling Li
Thi Hung Le
Woo Sung Kim
Soyolsaikhan Odkhuu
Chae Yeong Kang
Ariana Setiani
EunJin Jeon
Fatima Zahra Rami
Young-Chul Chung
author_facet Ling Li
Thi Hung Le
Woo Sung Kim
Soyolsaikhan Odkhuu
Chae Yeong Kang
Ariana Setiani
EunJin Jeon
Fatima Zahra Rami
Young-Chul Chung
author_sort Ling Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We studied 61 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who discontinued medication after achieving symptomatic remission. Over 3 years, relapse rates were significantly higher in those not meeting full recovery (p = 0.006) or remission (p < 0.001) criteria, with rates up to twice as high. Significant differences between relapsed and maintained groups included age at onset (p = 0.004), age at discontinuation (p = 0.009), and proportions meeting full recovery (p = 0.001) or remission (p = 0.003). Univariate Cox regression identified older age of onset (p = 0.038), lack of full recovery (p = 0.008) or remission (p = 0.001), and higher positive symptom score (p = 0.018) as predictors of relapse. In multivariate analysis, only full remission remained significant (p = 0.002). Our findings suggest that in making decision about discontinuation, applying more strict approaches, i.e., full recovery or remission criteria and detailed assessment of positive symptoms are critical and essential.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Schizophrenia
spelling doaj-art-3bed0b0f1c96465b8d4506b9fdc651d02025-08-20T02:56:16ZengNature PortfolioSchizophrenia2754-69932025-03-011111810.1038/s41537-025-00592-3Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disordersLing Li0Thi Hung Le1Woo Sung Kim2Soyolsaikhan Odkhuu3Chae Yeong Kang4Ariana Setiani5EunJin Jeon6Fatima Zahra Rami7Young-Chul Chung8Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolJeonbuk National University HospitalDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolDepartment of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Medical SchoolAbstract We studied 61 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who discontinued medication after achieving symptomatic remission. Over 3 years, relapse rates were significantly higher in those not meeting full recovery (p = 0.006) or remission (p < 0.001) criteria, with rates up to twice as high. Significant differences between relapsed and maintained groups included age at onset (p = 0.004), age at discontinuation (p = 0.009), and proportions meeting full recovery (p = 0.001) or remission (p = 0.003). Univariate Cox regression identified older age of onset (p = 0.038), lack of full recovery (p = 0.008) or remission (p = 0.001), and higher positive symptom score (p = 0.018) as predictors of relapse. In multivariate analysis, only full remission remained significant (p = 0.002). Our findings suggest that in making decision about discontinuation, applying more strict approaches, i.e., full recovery or remission criteria and detailed assessment of positive symptoms are critical and essential.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-025-00592-3
spellingShingle Ling Li
Thi Hung Le
Woo Sung Kim
Soyolsaikhan Odkhuu
Chae Yeong Kang
Ariana Setiani
EunJin Jeon
Fatima Zahra Rami
Young-Chul Chung
Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Schizophrenia
title Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
title_full Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
title_fullStr Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
title_full_unstemmed Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
title_short Predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
title_sort predictors of relapse after discontinuing antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-025-00592-3
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