Twenty-two studies (n=2,311) met the inclusion criteria: 1 RCT (n=149), 18 cross-sectional surveys (n=1,899) and 3 quasi-case-control studies (n=263).
The quality of the studies was mixed: the quality assessment scores ranged from 1 to 10 out of a maximum of 13 (mean score 44%). Ten studies (48%) failed to score on 8 of the checklist items.
Ten of the 12 studies reporting specific attitudinal or preferential data found that their patients held some positive views towards depot antipsychotic medication. One reported a neutral view and one a negative view.
Four of the 5 studies (n=761) reporting patient preference found that the majority preferred to receive their medication at the depot clinic, while the remaining study found that the preferred setting was at home. None of the studies found in favour of GP-based administration of treatment.
Five out of 6 studies (n=547) found that the majority of participants preferred to receive their medication via depot administration, rather than in tablet form.
Two studies reported side-effects data. The top five side-effects were sleepiness, increased fatigability, weight gain, tension or inner unrest, and concentration difficulties.
There were minimal data for nurse satisfaction with depot antipsychotics. However, some difference was found between the attitude of community psychiatric nurses and practice nurses: community practice nurses felt more confident in administering the medications, while practice nurses did not.