Neuropsychological functions predict 1- and 3-year outcome in first-episode psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine neuropsychological performance as a possible predictor of course and outcome in first-episode psychotic (FEP) patients.


METHODS
A group of consecutive FEP patients (n = 120) tested with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Revised (WAIS-R) at baseline was compared with a healthy group (n = 30) matched for age, education and gender. Relationship between WAIS-R and both Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Global Assessment of Function (GAF) ratings were studied at baseline and at 1- and 3-year follow-ups.


RESULTS
The performance of FEP patients was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that of healthy comparison subjects on all WAIS-R subtests except for Information and Comprehension. The WAIS-R scores of patients with schizophrenia syndromes (DSM-IV) were lower than those of patients with non-schizophrenia syndromes on Block Design. Low WAIS-R Full-Scale IQ scores in FEP patients predicted the presence of negative symptoms at 1-year follow-up and of low GAF ratings at 3-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurocognitive performance at admission appears to predict various aspects of functional outcome in FEP.
Carlsson
R
R
Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. roger.carlsson@ltkronoberg.se
Nyman
H
H
Ganse
G
G
Cullberg
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents