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Treatment delay and response rate in first episode psychosis
A Wunderink1, F J Nienhuis, S Sytema
1Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.wunderink@med.umcg.nl
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Early intervention in first psychosis improves treatment response. Reducing duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) involves engaging patients not in regular treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a critical factor in first episode psychosis (FEP).
- Predictors of DUP and time to treatment response (TTR) in FEP are not consistently established.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for timely and effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictors of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).
- To examine the relationship between DUP and time to treatment response (TTR) in patients with a first psychotic episode.
- To identify factors associated with early versus delayed treatment engagement.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiologically representative sample of 157 patients with a first non-affective psychotic episode was recruited.
- Patients were interviewed and followed up for a minimum of six months.
- Data on demographic factors, pre-treatment employment, and living situation were collected.
Main Results:
- The mean DUP was 46 weeks, with a median of 31 days.
- Longer DUP was significantly associated with male gender and unemployment prior to treatment.
- Shorter DUP, employment, and cohabitation predicted a faster treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Early intervention appears to enhance short-term treatment response in first episode psychosis.
- Strategies to reduce DUP should focus on improving engagement with regular treatment for under-engaged patient groups.
- Addressing social determinants like employment and relationships may facilitate earlier help-seeking and better outcomes.