A multi-site Canadian perspective: examining the functional outcome from first-episode psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors contributing to variance in functional outcome in first-episode psychosis (FEP) following 1 year of treatment.


METHODS
Naturalistic 1-year follow-up of a FEP cohort (n = 200), from programs in four university centers in Ontario, Canada. Functional recovery was defined by 'Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale' (SOFAS) score>60. Regression analysis examined the contribution of independent variables to variance in functional outcome.


RESULTS
Twelve-month outcome measures were available for 76.5% of the original cohort. Of these, 70% reported being in school/work and in satisfactory relationships. The functional recovery rate was 51%, compared to 74% attaining symptomatic remission. The greatest contributors to variance in outcome were ongoing symptoms at 6 months and substance abuse comorbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
After 1 year of treatment, FEP patients show high rates of symptomatic remission and relatively lower rates of functional recovery. Symptoms and substance abuse contribute to variance in outcome.
Menezes
N M
NM
Schizophrenia Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. menezes@mcmaster.ca
Malla
A M
AM
Norman
R M
RM
Archie
S
S
Roy
P
P
Zipursky
R B
RB
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012919:Social Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents