Early premorbid adjustment as a moderator of the impact of duration of untreated psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
Shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is often correlated with a poorer response to treatment. In this paper we test the hypothesis that the importance of DUP is moderated by early premorbid adjustment.


METHODS
Three year prospective data were collected for 154 first episode patients. DUP, premorbid adjustment and symptoms were assessed at time of presentation for treatment and symptoms were reassessed after three years of treatment.


RESULTS
DUP was correlated with level of symptoms at three years only for patients with better premorbid adjustment in childhood and early adolescence.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that DUP may have more of an impact on treatment response for those with a less pernicious, more reversible form of illness.
Norman
Ross M G
RM
University of Western Ontario and Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses, WMCH Building, 392 South Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4G5. rnorman@uwo.ca
Malla
Ashok K
AK
Manchanda
Rahul
R
D000124:Achievement; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents