OBJECTIVE: The first episode of schizophrenia is a critical period for illness course and outcomes. We aimed to investigate treatments and outcomes during the first year after the diagnosis of schizophrenia. METHOD: Pharmacoepidemiologic inception cohort study of all newly diagnosed patients with schizophrenia in Denmark (n = 13,600) 1996-2005. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2005, the mean age at first diagnosis decreased significantly (29.2-26.1 years), more patients received antipsychotics (67.2-80.7%, annual OR = 1.07, CI: 1.06-1.09, P < 0.001) and antipsychotic polypharmacy for >4 months (16.7-37.1%, OR = 1.14, CI: 1.12-1.57, P < 0.001). The antipsychotic defined daily dosage (DDD) doubled (150-332 DDD, P < 0.001), use of antidepressants (24.3-40.6%, P < 0.001). Bed days [89.9 days (CI: 81.8-98.8) to 71.8 days, CI: 63.7-80.8, P < 0.0001] decreased, whereas outpatient contacts [10.2 (CI: 9.5-11.0) to 21.4 (CI: 19.9-21.0), P < 0.0001] doubled. CONCLUSION: Between 1996 and 2005, there was an earlier recognition of schizophrenia, intensified outpatient treatment, increased use and dosing of antipsychotics and antidepressants, but also more antipsychotic polypharmacy.
OBJECTIVE: The first episode of schizophrenia is a critical period for illness course and outcomes. We aimed to investigate treatments and outcomes during the first year after the diagnosis of schizophrenia. METHOD: Pharmacoepidemiologic inception cohort study of all newly diagnosed patients with schizophrenia in Denmark (n = 13,600) 1996-2005. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2005, the mean age at first diagnosis decreased significantly (29.2-26.1 years), more patients received antipsychotics (67.2-80.7%, annual OR = 1.07, CI: 1.06-1.09, P < 0.001) and antipsychotic polypharmacy for >4 months (16.7-37.1%, OR = 1.14, CI: 1.12-1.57, P < 0.001). The antipsychotic defined daily dosage (DDD) doubled (150-332 DDD, P < 0.001), use of antidepressants (24.3-40.6%, P < 0.001). Bed days [89.9 days (CI: 81.8-98.8) to 71.8 days, CI: 63.7-80.8, P < 0.0001] decreased, whereas outpatient contacts [10.2 (CI: 9.5-11.0) to 21.4 (CI: 19.9-21.0), P < 0.0001] doubled. CONCLUSION: Between 1996 and 2005, there was an earlier recognition of schizophrenia, intensified outpatient treatment, increased use and dosing of antipsychotics and antidepressants, but also more antipsychotic polypharmacy.
Authors: Juan A Gallego; Jimmi Nielsen; Marc De Hert; John M Kane; Christoph U Correll Journal: Expert Opin Drug Saf Date: 2012-05-08 Impact factor: 4.250
Authors: Jimmi Nielsen; Claus Graff; Jørgen K Kanters; Egon Toft; David Taylor; Jonathan M Meyer Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2011-06-01 Impact factor: 5.749
Authors: Jimmi Nielsen; Signe O W Jensen; Rasmus B Friis; Jan B Valentin; Christoph U Correll Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2014-09-01 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Christoph U Correll; Ladan Shaikh; Juan A Gallego; Jeffrey Nachbar; Vladimir Olshanskiy; Taishiro Kishimoto; John M Kane Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2011-03-21 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: María-José Alvarez; Pere Roura-Poch; Nùria Riera; Ana Martín; Clara Blanch; Judit Pons; Josep-Manel Santos; Santiago Escoté Journal: Community Ment Health J Date: 2018-10-23
Authors: Nitin Toteja; Juan A Gallego; Ema Saito; Tobias Gerhard; Almut Winterstein; Mark Olfson; Christoph U Correll Journal: Int J Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2013-05-14 Impact factor: 5.176