Effect of early intervention on 5-year outcome in non-affective psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Early specialised care may improve short-term outcome in first-episode non-affective psychosis, but it is unclear if these benefits endure.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term effect of early intervention in psychosis.


METHODS
Individuals with first-episode psychosis were randomised to specialised care or care as usual (trial number: ISRCTN73679874). Outcome after 5 years was assessed by case-note review.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the admission rate (coefficient 0.096, 95% CI -0.550 to 0.742, P = 0.770) or the mean number of bed days (coefficient 6.344, 95% CI -46 to 58.7, P = 0.810).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings that specialist intervention did not markedly improved outcome at 5 years accord with those from a larger OPUS study. The sample size of this study was small and these results should be generalised with caution. More research is needed.
Gafoor
Rafael
R
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings Health Partners, London, UK.
Nitsch
Dorothea
D
McCrone
Paul
P
Craig
Tom K J
TK
Garety
Philippa A
PA
Power
Paddy
P
McGuire
Philip
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013038:Specialization; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult