West London first-episode study of schizophrenia. Clinical correlates of duration of untreated psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Studies in schizophrenia suggest that a longer initial period of untreated illness is associated with a poorer clinical outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether, in first-episode schizophrenia, a longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) or of untreated illness (DUI) (DUP plus any prodrome) is associated with clinical variables that could mediate a poor prognosis.


METHODS
Clinical, social, neuropsychological and oculomotor function data on 53 patients with first-episode schizophrenia were related to the DUP and DUI.


RESULTS
Comparing short and long DUP groups split around the median showed no statistically significant differences (except age); patients in the latter group tended to perform worse on an executive attentional set-shifting task, and were more likely to be unemployed, and living alone or homeless.


CONCLUSIONS
There was little evidence of any association between either DUP or DUI and progressive deterioration in the schizophrenic illness or the development of resistance to initial drug treatment. Social variables that augur a poor prognosis may be associated with delayed presentation of schizophrenia to psychiatric services.
Barnes
T R
TR
Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College School of Medicine, London.
Hutton
S B
SB
Chapman
M J
MJ
Mutsatsa
S
S
Puri
B K
BK
Joyce
E M
EM
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents