Clinical recovery in first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Generally agreed outcome criteria in psychosis are required to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatment strategies. The aim of this study is to explore clinical recovery in first-episode patients, defined by meeting criteria for both symptomatic and functional remission.


METHODS
In a sample of first-episode patients (N = 125), symptomatic and functional remission during the last 9 months of a 2-year follow-up period were examined, as well as recovery and its predictors.


RESULTS
Half the patients (52.0%) showed symptomatic remission and a quarter (26.4%) functional remission, while one-fifth (19.2%) met both criteria sets and were considered recovered. Recovery was significantly associated with short duration of untreated psychosis and better baseline functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Most functionally remitted patients were also symptomatically remitted, while a minority of symptomatically remitted patients were also functionally remitted. Treatment delay may affect chance of recovery.
Wunderink
Lex
L
University Medical Center Groningen, University Psychiatric Center (5.21), University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. a.wunderink@med.umcg.nl
Sytema
Sjoerd
S
Nienhuis
Fokko J
FJ
Wiersma
Durk
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents