聚焦世界精神卫生日|上海市精神卫生中心刘登堂：依从性差是精神分裂症治疗拦路虎，长效针剂成主流治疗方向

Core Insights - The theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 is "Everyone enjoys mental health services," highlighting the increasing challenges in China's mental health sector [1] - The World Health Organization (WHO) reports approximately 24 million schizophrenia patients globally, with over 8 million in China, indicating a significant public health issue [1] - Schizophrenia is increasingly recognized as a chronic brain disease rather than a functional disorder, necessitating long-term treatment strategies [1][2] Treatment Challenges - Approximately 80% of schizophrenia patients experience onset between the ages of 16 and 35, a critical period for social integration [2] - Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in treating schizophrenia, with a treatment interruption rate of 75% in China, leading to high relapse rates of 77% within one year and 90% within two years [3] - Each relapse can increase direct medical costs by four times, emphasizing the need for improved adherence strategies [3] Long-Acting Injectable Medications - The recently updated "Chinese Schizophrenia Prevention and Treatment Guidelines (2025 Edition)" emphasizes the clinical value of long-acting injectable antipsychotics, recommending their early use while respecting patient preferences [4] - Long-acting injectables can significantly reduce medication frequency and improve adherence compared to oral medications [4] - Current clinical usage of long-acting injectables in China is less than 5%, compared to 25%-30% in Europe and the U.S., indicating a substantial gap [5] Government and Healthcare Initiatives - Efforts are underway to increase the clinical use of long-acting injectables in China, including enhanced education for healthcare providers and patients, as well as the inclusion of these medications in health insurance coverage [5] - Government subsidy programs in cities like Shanghai are providing free medication support to patients, aiming to improve treatment access and adherence [5]