Journal
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
Volume 140, Issue 1, Pages 65-76Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/acps.13033
Keywords
psychotic disorders; schizophrenia; young adult; early intervention; health services accessibility
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Funding
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research [MCT 94189, CCT-NAPN-18590]
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Objective To test whether duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) < 3 months, recommended by the World Health Organization/International Early Psychosis Association, enhances the effects of an extended early intervention service (EEIS) on symptom remission. Method We examined data from a randomized controlled trial in which patients who received 2 years of treatment in EIS for psychosis were subsequently randomized to either 3 years of EEIS or 3 years of regular care (RC). Using a DUP cut-off <= 12 weeks (approximately < 3 months), patients were split into two groups. Length of positive, negative and total symptom remission were the outcomes. Results Patients (N = 217) were mostly male (68%) with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (65%); 108 (50%) received EEIS (58 had DUP <= 12 weeks; 50 had DUP >12 weeks). Interaction between treatment condition (EEIS vs. RC) and DUP cut-off <= 12 weeks was only significant in multiple linear regression model examining length of negative symptom remission as the outcome (adjusted beta = 36.88 [SE = 15.88], t = 2.32, P = 0.02). EEIS patients with DUP <= 12 weeks achieved 25 more weeks of negative symptom remission than EEIS patients with DUP >12 weeks. Conclusion Having a short DUP may be critical in deriving long-term benefits from EIS for psychosis, including EEIS settings. This work empirically supports policy recommendations of reducing DUP <3 months.
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