Baseline antipsychotic prescription and short-term outcome indicators in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis: Findings from the Parma At-Risk Mental States (PARMS) program

AimThe prognostic prediction of outcomes in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) is still a significant clinical challenge. Among multiple baseline variables of risk calculator models, the role of ongoing pharmacological medications has been partially neglected, despite meta-analytical evidence of higher risk of psychosis transition associated with baseline prescription exposure to antipsychotics (AP) in CHR-P individuals. The main aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that ongoing AP need at baseline indexes a subgroup of CHR-P individuals with more severe psychopathology and worse prognostic trajectories along a 1-year follow-up period. MethodsThis research was settled within the 'Parma At-Risk Mental States' program. Baseline and 1-year follow-up assessment included the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). CHR-P individuals who were taking AP medications at entry were included in the CHR-P-AP+ subgroup. The remaining participants were grouped as CHR-P-AP-. ResultsHundred and seventy-eight CHR-P individuals (aged 12-25 years) were enrolled (91 CHR-P-AP+, 87 CHR-P-AP-). Compared to CHR-P AP-, CHR-P AP+ individuals had older age, greater baseline PANSS 'Positive Symptoms' and 'Negative Symptoms' factor subscores and a lower GAF score. At the end of our follow-up, CHR-P-AP+ subjects showed higher rates of psychosis transition, new hospitalizations and urgent/non-planned visits compared to CHRP- AP- individuals. ConclusionsIn agreement with increasing empirical evidence, also the results of the current study suggest that AP need is a significant prognostic variable in cohorts of CHR-P individuals and should be included in risk calculators.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the symptom severity and prognosis of individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis who were on antipsychotic medication during a 1-year follow-up period. The results showed that compared to those not taking antipsychotics, individuals on antipsychotic medication had more severe symptoms and lower functioning at baseline. At the end of the follow-up period, individuals on antipsychotic medication had higher rates of psychosis transition, hospitalizations, and urgent/non-planned visits.