Factors contributing to the duration of untreated prodromal positive symptoms in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis

Individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis experience a considerable delay before appropriate clinical attention is provided. Therefore, we investigated the correlates of this delay by examining clinical, sociodemographic and neuropsychological contributors to the duration of untreated prodromal positive symptoms (DUPP) in them (n = 73). The slowly progressive mode of functional decline, defined as a small percentage drop in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score within the past year, and male gender, explained a considerable portion of the DUPP in the multivariate regression model (F = 9.269, p < 0.001). Slower functional decline may be correlated with delayed care during the UHR period. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.