title: Three-year outcome of phase-specific early intervention for first-episode psychosis: a cohort study in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although phase-specific early intervention for first-episode psychosis has been implemented in many different parts of the world, limited medium-term outcome data are available in non-Western populations with relatively low mental health resources. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of phase-specific early intervention in first-episode psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cohort study, we compared the 3-year outcome of 700 first-episode psychosis patients who received phase-specific early intervention with that of 700 patients matched for age, sex and diagnosis who received standard psychiatric care prior to early intervention. Using a structured data acquisition procedure, we determined functional outcome, symptom levels, relapse, recovery, suicidal behaviour and service utilization from clinical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the early intervention group had longer full-time employment or study (P<0.001), fewer days of hospitalization (P<0.001), less severe positive symptoms (P=0.006), less severe negative symptoms (P =0.001), fewer suicides (P=0.009) and fewer disengagements (P=0.002) than the historical control group. Additionally, more patients in the early intervention group experienced a period of recovery (P=0.001), but the two groups had similar rates of relapse (P=0.08) and durations of untreated psychosis (P=0.72).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-year outcome in phase-specific early intervention compared favourably with that of standard psychiatric care, particularly with respect to functional outcome and reduction in hospitalizations, suicides and disengagements. However, intervention did not appear to reduce the rate of relapse.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. eyhchen@hku.hk
authors: Eric Y H
authors: EY
authors: Chen
authors: Jennifer Y M
authors: JY
authors: Tang
authors: Christy L M
authors: CL
authors: Hui
authors: Cindy P Y
authors: CP
authors: Chiu
authors: May M L
authors: MM
authors: Lam
authors: Chi Wing
authors: CW
authors: Law
authors: Carol W S
authors: CW
authors: Yew
authors: Gloria H Y
authors: GH
authors: Wong
authors: Dicky W S
authors: DW
authors: Chung
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Tso
authors: Kathy P M
authors: KP
authors: Chan
authors: Ka Chee
authors: KC
authors: Yip
authors: Se Fong
authors: SF
authors: Hung
authors: William G
authors: WG
authors: Honer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006723:Hong Kong; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents