Treatment delay and response rate in first episode psychosis

Objective:  There is no consistent evidence of long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) predicting long time to response (TTR) in first psychosis. This study aims to investigate the predictors of DUP and TTR in a first episode patient population. Method:  An epidemiologically representative sample...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 2006-04, Vol.113 (4), p.332-339
Main Authors: Wunderink, A., Nienhuis, F. J., Sytema, S., Wiersma, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Age of Onset
Biological and medical sciences
Disability Evaluation
early diagnosis
Female
Humans
Interview, Psychological
Male
Medical diagnosis
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Psychosis
psychotic disorders
Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology
Psychotic Disorders - psychology
Psychotic Disorders - therapy
Schizophrenia
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Objective:  There is no consistent evidence of long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) predicting long time to response (TTR) in first psychosis. This study aims to investigate the predictors of DUP and TTR in a first episode patient population. Method:  An epidemiologically representative sample of 157 non‐affective first psychotic episode patients was interviewed and followed‐up for at least half a year. Results:  The mean DUP was 46 weeks, the median 31 days. Long DUP was associated with being unemployed before treatment and male gender. Short DUP, having a job, and living with a partner before treatment predicted early response. Conclusion:  Early intervention likely improves short‐term treatment response in first episode psychosis. The best strategy to reduce DUP probably is to direct attention to the substantial number of patients who do not engage in regular treatment.
ISSN:0001-690X
1600-0447
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00685.x