AIM: This paper reports the rationale, methodology and baseline characteristics of a large long-term follow-up study of first-episode psychosis from a geographically defined catchment area. METHOD: A total of 723 first-episode psychosis patients were recruited from a specialized early psychosis service between 1989 and 2001 and prospectively followed up at a median of 7.4 years after initial presentation. Participants' baseline demographic, clinical and functional characteristics are described. Sampling bias at study recruitment was assessed by comparison with a more complete sample of Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) cases rated directly from the medical records. RESULTS: At baseline, 57% of the sample were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, whereas the full range of psychotic disorders was represented. Statistical analysis confirmed that the sample recruited was representative of total EPPIC-treated incident cases. CONCLUSIONS: The EPPIC long-term follow-up study is a large and epidemiologically representative first-episode psychosis cohort that has been subsequently prospectively followed up over a long period. Such a sample provides a rare opportunity to study the course and outcome of psychotic disorders.
AIM: This paper reports the rationale, methodology and baseline characteristics of a large long-term follow-up study of first-episode psychosis from a geographically defined catchment area. METHOD: A total of 723 first-episode psychosispatients were recruited from a specialized early psychosis service between 1989 and 2001 and prospectively followed up at a median of 7.4 years after initial presentation. Participants' baseline demographic, clinical and functional characteristics are described. Sampling bias at study recruitment was assessed by comparison with a more complete sample of Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) cases rated directly from the medical records. RESULTS: At baseline, 57% of the sample were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, whereas the full range of psychotic disorders was represented. Statistical analysis confirmed that the sample recruited was representative of total EPPIC-treated incident cases. CONCLUSIONS: The EPPIC long-term follow-up study is a large and epidemiologically representative first-episode psychosis cohort that has been subsequently prospectively followed up over a long period. Such a sample provides a rare opportunity to study the course and outcome of psychotic disorders.
Authors: Joseph Ventura; Kenneth L Subotnik; Michael J Gitlin; Denise Gretchen-Doorly; Arielle Ered; Kathleen F Villa; Gerhard S Hellemann; Keith H Nuechterlein Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2014-12-08 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Andrew D Thompson; Barnaby Nelson; Hok Pan Yuen; Ashleigh Lin; Günter Paul Amminger; Patrick D McGorry; Stephen J Wood; Alison R Yung Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2013-03-02 Impact factor: 9.306