E-STAR is an international, long-term, prospective, observational study of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder switched to treatment with Risperidone Consta long acting injection (Consta). Data are collected both retrospectively for a period of 1 year and prospectively every 3 months up to 2 years.This interim analysis presents results of a group of 280 patients who have completed one-year prospective treatment with Risperdal Consta in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Long-acting risperidone reduced relapse rates and need for hospital services and increased the rate of symptomatic remission during the first year. Treatment with Consta injection was associated with improvement of activities of daily living and overall clinical global improvement. Moreover, Consta significantly reduced suicidal tendencies and violent behavior. The proportion of patients treated with combination of antipsychotics has decreased, compared with the retrospective one-year period. Long-acting risperidone has the potential to improve adherence to the antipsychotic treatment in patients suffering from schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. E-STAR project provides important information about the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in a usual clinical practice setting.

        Key words: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, risperidone long acting injection, maintenance treatment, adherence.