Effectiveness of the information technology-aided program of relapse prevention in schizophrenia (ITAREPS): a randomized, controlled, double-blind study

J Psychiatr Pract. 2012 Jul;18(4):269-80. doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000416017.45591.c1.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Information Technology-Aided Program of Re lapse Prevention in Schizophrenia (ITAREPS).

Methods: Relapse-prone outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized to the active (n=75) or control group (n=71). In the active arm, according to the protocol, investigators were prompted to increase the antipsychotic dose upon occurrence of a pharmacological inter vention requiring event (PIRE) detected by ITAREPS.

Results: Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis found no between-group difference in the hospitalization-free survival rate at 12 months. However, the trial suffered from high non-adherence of investigators in the active group, with no antipsychotic dose increase in 61% of PIREs. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis showed a 11-fold increased risk of hospitalization in the absence of pharmacological intervention following a PIRE (hazard ratio [HR]=10.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-80.0; p=0.002). Therefore, a post-hoc as-treated analysis was performed, which demonstrated a nine-fold reduction in the risk of hospitalization in ITAREPS Algorithm-Adherers (IAAs, n=25) compared with the ITAREPS Non-interventional group (INIs, n=70; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, HR=0.11, 95% CI 0.05-0.28, p=0.009; number needed to treat [NNT]=4, 95% CI 3-10). A significant difference in favor of the IAA group was seen in the number of inpatient days (p<0.05) and costs (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Future ITAREPS trials should target the underlying mechanisms that cause low investigator adherence to the program.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials NCT00712660.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention to Treat Analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / rehabilitation*
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Telemedicine / methods*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00712660