[Controversies about duration of untreated psychosis as independent prognostic variable of the evolutive course of schizophrenic psychoses].
This study reviews recent literature on duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and its most relevant characteristics and controversial issues, such as: a) why DUP has been pointed out as a main variable in first-episode psychosis research, and b) the role of DUP in designing intervention programs for the design and different action strategies in early intervention programs in psychoses. The authors also present data from a 2 year follow-up study of 231 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and/or schizophreniform disorder (according to DSM-IV criteria). Results are included, analyzing DUP as prognostic factor for clinical outcome. Our conclusions suggest that DUP is a risk marker but not an independent prognostic factor determining follow-up in schizophrenic psychoses. Therefore, DUP's role in early intervention programs should be redefined.
Segarra Echebarria
R
R
Servicio de Psiquiatría, Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo.
Gutierrez Fraile
M
M
Eguiluz Uruchurtu
I
I
Ojeda del Pozo
N
N
Fernández Gómez
C
C
D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011379:Prognosis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors