BACKGROUND: Studies in schizophrenia suggest that a longer initial period of untreated illness is associated with a poorer clinical outcome. AIMS: To determine whether, in first-episode schizophrenia, a longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) or of untreated illness (DUI) (DUP plus any prodrome) is associated with clinical variables that could mediate a poor prognosis. METHOD: Clinical, social, neuropsychological and oculomotor function data on 53 patients with first-episode schizophrenia were related to the DUP and DUI. RESULTS: Comparing short and long DUP groups split around the median showed no statistically significant differences (except age); patients in the latter group tended to perform worse on an executive attentional set-shifting task, and were more likely to be unemployed, and living alone or homeless. CONCLUSIONS: There was little evidence of any association between either DUP or DUI and progressive deterioration in the schizophrenic illness or the development of resistance to initial drug treatment. Social variables that augur a poor prognosis may be associated with delayed presentation of schizophrenia to psychiatric services.
BACKGROUND: Studies in schizophrenia suggest that a longer initial period of untreated illness is associated with a poorer clinical outcome. AIMS: To determine whether, in first-episode schizophrenia, a longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) or of untreated illness (DUI) (DUP plus any prodrome) is associated with clinical variables that could mediate a poor prognosis. METHOD: Clinical, social, neuropsychological and oculomotor function data on 53 patients with first-episode schizophrenia were related to the DUP and DUI. RESULTS: Comparing short and long DUP groups split around the median showed no statistically significant differences (except age); patients in the latter group tended to perform worse on an executive attentional set-shifting task, and were more likely to be unemployed, and living alone or homeless. CONCLUSIONS: There was little evidence of any association between either DUP or DUI and progressive deterioration in the schizophrenic illness or the development of resistance to initial drug treatment. Social variables that augur a poor prognosis may be associated with delayed presentation of schizophrenia to psychiatric services.
Authors: Tor K Larsen; Ingrid Melle; Bjørn Auestad; Svein Friis; Ulrik Haahr; Jan Olav Johannessen; Stein Opjordsmoen; Bjørn Rishovd Rund; Erik Simonsen; Per Vaglum; Thomas McGlashan Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2006-06-29 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Matthew M Large; Olav Nielssen; Christopher James Ryan; Robert Hayes Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2007-11-30 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Verity C Leeson; Trevor W Robbins; Elizabeth Matheson; Samuel B Hutton; María A Ron; Thomas R E Barnes; Eileen M Joyce Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2009-07-03 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: V C Leeson; T W Robbins; C Franklin; M Harrison; I Harrison; M A Ron; T R E Barnes; E M Joyce Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2009-05-07 Impact factor: 7.723