Long-term effects of a community intervention for early identification of first-episode psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether an Early Case Identification Program (ECIP) for first-episode psychosis (FEP), which showed no significant short-term effects, has a delayed impact on duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).


METHODS
Using a historical control design, FEP patients were assessed on clinical variables over three consecutive phases, 2 years prior, 2 years during and 3 years after implementation of the ECIP. Additional analyses were conducted on non-affective and schizophrenia spectrum psychoses cases only.


RESULTS
There was no overall significant difference in DUP across the three phases. For cases treated within the first year of illness a nonsignificant reduction in DUP to less than 2 months observed during the active phase was sustained post-ECIP.


CONCLUSIONS
In some jurisdictions community-wide early case detection may fail to have an immediate or delayed effect on DUP, especially for cases who normally present for treatment with DUP >1 year.
Cassidy
C M
CM
Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Schmitz
N
N
Norman
R
R
Manchanda
R
R
Malla
A
A
D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy