Several studies suggested that second-generation long-acting injectable anti-psychotics (SGA-LAIs) might be effective on preventing relapse and admission/readmission rates among patients affected by schizophrenic and bipolar disorders. Moreover, studies highlighted that SGA-LAIs may reduce costs and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among community psychiatric settings.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the increased use of SGA-LAIs among community psychiatric services in southern Tuscany was related to:

– reduced costs and HRU;

– reduced hospital admission/readmission.

Data consisted of both regional registry and data prospectively collected at admission and/or follow up assessments. Patients included were: patients affected by schizophrenia/schizoaffective or bipolar disorders, treated with SGA-LAIs.

The increased use of SGA-LAIs was related to a significant reduction of admission and/or readmission rates, as long as a significant reduction in costs and HRU among the community services included in the study.

The present findings suggest that SGA-LAIs might have a positive cost/effectiveness profile and could reduce hospitalizations, costs and HRU among a community sample. This could be related to a better tolerability of SGA-LAIs compared to FGA-LAIs, and less adverse effects. More studies on community samples should focus on the cost/effectiveness profile of SGA-LAIs.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.