Risperidone reduced the risk of relapse in outpatient schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Patients 397 patients who were 18–65 years of age, had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV criteria, had required intensive psychiatric treatment within 24 months before study entry, had received a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for >30 days before study entry, had resided at the same address for >30 days before study entry, and were judged clinically stable by the principal investigator. Exclusion criteria included another current DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis and an Axis II diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder. 365 patients (92%) (mean age 40 y, 70% men, 48% white) were included in the analysis.