[Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP): an useful predictor of outcome in schizophrenia?].
The concept of DUP has gained much interest as a possible predictor of outcome variables. The review of the current state of research suggests that DUP may be related to remission, social functioning and severity level of symptomatology. In the present retrospective-prospective study 50 first-time admitted patients were interviewed with the "Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia" (IRAOS). Outcome was measured after six months and one year with the "Positive and Negative-Syndrom Scale" (PANSS) and the "Disability Assessment Schedule" (DAS). Patients with long DUP had a worse outcome regarding the severity level of positive symptoms, of general symptoms and social disability. Corresponding well with some other studies, there was no association between DUP and negative symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
DUP can be regarded as an useful predictor of outcome in schizophrenia. However, further research is required to confirm these results in long-term studies.
Fuchs
J
J
Zentrum für Psychiatrie Weissenau, Abteilung Psychiatrie I der Universität Ulm. Julia.Fuchs@Zfp-Weissenau.de
Steinert
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome