[Screening programs for early detection of psychosis?].
Programs for the early detection of psychosis are currently underway in most developed countries. Their aim is to improve the outcome of subjects with psychotic disorders, but neither their feasibility nor their usefulness was assessed before their implementation. The postulate underlying these programs - that early treatment improves the prognosis of psychosis - has not yet been demonstrated. The absence of effective and adequately specific screening tests implies that a substantial number of the subjects evaluated may be incorrectly diagnosed with and treated for psychoses (false positives). Development of facilities specializing in the assessment and care of subjects with early psychosis often implies a decrease in funding for facilities caring for patients with chronic psychoses. Educational and information campaigns aimed at the general public and health professionals, on the other hand, may help reduce the stigma associated with psychosis and improve access to care for subjects in early stages of psychosis. Risk/benefit and cost/benefit analyses of programs for the early detection of psychosis must be evaluated before promoting their development.
Cougnard
Audrey
A
Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Inserm U 657, IFR99 de Santé Publique.
Verdoux
Hélène
H
D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003151:Community Health Centers; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D016730:Program Development; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment