Does Aripiprazole LAI Work Differently in Different Races, Ethnicity?

Background: Racial disparities are evident throughout medicine, and psychiatry is no different. There have been differences documented such as African American patients with bipolar disorder are more likely to receive an antipsychotic (specifically a first generation) and at higher dosages than compared to other races. Clinical trials also demonstrate these disparities in the races that largely make up participants in clinical studies. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the once-monthly, long-acting injectable (LAI) aripiprazole in African American participants with bipolar I disorder (BP-I). Design: Exploratory post hoc analysis of a 52-week, open-label study conducted from 2012 to 2016. Methods: The authors analyzed data of 464 adults with BP-I. The initial study focused on the maintenance treatment using once-monthly aripiprazole 400 mg (AOM 400) in those with BP-I. Findings from African American participants were compared to the other races present. Race was more...