Symptom outcome 1 year after admission to an early psychosis program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the change in positive, negative, and depressive symptoms after 1 year in an early psychosis program.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty subjects were included from the first 257 admissions for a first episode of psychosis to a comprehensive early psychosis program. Most had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder. Subjects were assessed on admission to the program and at 3, 6, and 12 months after admission. All 180 subjects completed the 1-year assessment. Assessment measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia.


RESULTS
There was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in positive symptoms by 3 months, depression increased at 3 months but significantly improved by 12 months, and negative symptoms changed little over the first year.


CONCLUSIONS
The differential changes in symptoms in the first year after admission have implications for treatment.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. jean_addington@camh.net
Jean
J
Addington
Erin
E
Leriger
Donald
D
Addington
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002746:Chlorpromazine