Clinical Recovery in First-Episode Psychosis

• Published in: Schizophrenia bulletin 2009-03, Vol.35 (2), p.362-369
• Main Authors: Wunderink, Lex, Sytema, Sjoerd, Nienhuis, Fokko J., Wiersma, Durk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Prognosis; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - drug therapy; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Quality of Life; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Schizophrenic Psychology; Social Adjustment; Theme: Functional Recovery in Schizophrenia: Raising the Bar for Outcomes in People with Schizophrenia Guest Editor: Philip D. Harvey; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0586-7614; 1745-1701
• DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbn143

Introduction: Generally agreed outcome criteria in psychosis are required to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatment strategies. The aim of this study is to explore clinical recovery in first-episode patients, defined by meeting criteria for both symptomatic and functional remission. Method: In a sample of first-episode patients (N = 125), symptomatic and functional remission during the last 9 months of a 2-year follow-up period were examined, as well as recovery and its predictors. Results: Half the patients (52.0%) showed symptomatic remission and a quarter (26.4%) functional remission, while one-fifth (19.2%) met both criteria sets and were considered recovered. Recovery was significantly associated with short duration of untreated psychosis and better baseline functioning. Conclusion: Most functionally remitted patients were also symptomatically remitted, while a minority of symptomatically remitted patients were also functionally remitted. Treatment delay may affect chance of recovery.