Intramuscular injections can cause damage to arteries, veins and nerves. Achieving maximum effects\nof medications through precise intramuscular (IM) injections must be assured and with certainty,\nparticularly with long-acting injection drugs (LAI). The purpose of this study is to determine\nprecision in IM LAIs of patients with schizophrenia. These evidences estimate ââ?¬Å?Distance from\nthe Epidermis to the Under-Fasciaââ?¬Â (DEUF) and ââ?¬Å?Distance from Epidermis to the Upper-Arm Boneââ?¬Â\n(DEB) of the deltoid muscle. Explanatory variables include body height, weight, body-mass index\n(BMI), deltoid-muscle circumference, fat percentage and muscle mass measured by body composition\nmonitor. Sixty nine subjects are included based on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental\nDisorders (DSM-IV, 1994), and receive treatments of typical and atypical antipsychotic LAI. There are 46 males and 23 females with average age of 51.41 (Standard Deviati and ranging\nfrom 21 to 81 years who are all right-handed. Ultrasonographic data and those from explanatory\nvariables are calculated using Spearmanââ?¬â?¢s rank correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis\n(step-wise method/forced input method) is performed assuming DEUF or DEB as dependent\nvariables. Significant correlations are found with highest adjusted R-square. Paired t-tests show\ndifferences in average values of actual ultrasonographic measurements assigned to DEUF or DEB,\nand the regression equations for accuracy. Ultrasonographic values are assigned multiple-regres-sion equations as true values, and the calculated values are compared with those obtained by regression\nequations. There are no significant differences observed for either the right or left arm.\nThe multiple regression equations for BMI and fat percentages (upper extremity estimation) of\nDEUF, and for BMI and injection site circumference of estimated DEB, successfully value the DEUF\nand DEB. By using these multiple regression equations for IM injection to the deltoid-muscle,\nDEUF can better ensure accurate LAI into the muscle through body monitor, DEB, and measured\nvalues of the deltoid-muscle injection site circumference.
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