Trends in Consultations for Schizophrenia and Non-affective Psychoses in Italian Emergency Departments During and After the 2020 COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract Aims To analyze the hospital emergency department (HED) consultations for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders in nine Italian hospitals during 2020 lockdown and postlockdown periods, compared to equivalent periods 2019. Methods Characteristics of consultations, patients, drug prescriptions were analyzed. Joinpoint models used identify changes weekly trend consultations. Results During overall number HED schizophrenia decreased by 40.7% after 12.2% with No difference was found proportion that led GHPU admissions or compulsory admissions. Suicidality rates did not differ across two years, exception ideations plans (+5.9%) period. We an increase benzodiazepine (+10.6% +20.8%, respectively), a decrease short-acting sedative agents period (–7.9%). An occurred from March 11 17 (week 11) till June 26 30 26). As result, initial gap between 2 years canceled out at end June. Conclusions consultation rate declined consistent other psychiatric disorders. In period, growth suicidal ideation/planning anxiolytic-sedating drugs may foreshadow some patients exit is liberating, but rather source agitation perturbation.