This prospective longitudinal cohort study will follow patients with schizophrenia who are treated with second generation long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications (LAIs) for 48 weeks to determine the risk of psychotic symptom relapse when treatment adherence is established. The study is designed to minimize the other factors that have contributed to breakthrough psychotic symptoms in patients treated with LAIs including poor adherence, substance use, concurrent mood disorders, poor treatment response, failed cross-titration, and insufficient dosing. Eligible subjects will undergo a screening visit to document that inclusion criteria are met and those meeting exclusion criteria are excluded. Participants will be assessed every 12 weeks to determine whether they remain in remission or meet criteria for a relapse. More comprehensive assessment will be completed at the beginning of the study (baseline visit), at the 24-week study midpoint and the 48-week study endpoint. Plasma antipsychotic levels will be measured at these three study time points to investigate associations between plasma levels and remission/relapse status as well as side effects. Plasma prolactin will also be measured to assess the association with sexual side effects. Hemoglobin A1c and measures of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol will be obtained to assess the effects of SGA LAIs on these measures.
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Clinical Global Impressions Schizophrenia Scale (CGI-SCH) - Positive Symptoms Change subscale
Timeframe: Assessed at 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks and 48 weeks