Non-affective Acute Remitting Psychosis: a preliminary report from Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the concept of 'Non-affective Acute Remitting Psychosis' (NARP) in a group of patients with first episode psychosis in Iran.


METHODS
This is a 24-month follow-up study of 54 patients with first-episode psychosis admitted consecutively to a psychiatric hospital in Tehran, Iran. At the end of follow-up, consensus judgments were made on fulfillment of the NARP criteria as well as illness course and treatment. NARP was defined as a psychotic illness with acute onset (developed within 1 week), short duration (remission within 6 months), and the absence of prominent mood symptoms.


RESULTS
Of 49 patients who completed the follow-up, 15 (30.6%) had NARP, accounting for 60% of non-affective psychoses. Ten patients with NARP remained relapse free, four had a very short-lived relapse, and only one developed a chronic illness. Throughout the follow-up, patients with NARP received fewer months of treatment than did patients with other non-affective psychoses.


CONCLUSIONS
The high proportion of NARP among patients with first episode psychosis, and the favorable course is in keeping with previous studies in developing countries.
Alaghband-Rad
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Boroumand
M
M
Amini
H
H
Sharifi
V
V
Omid
A
A
Davari-Ashtiani
R
R
Seddigh
A
A
Momeni
F
F
Aminipour
Z
Z
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction