title: The role of treatment delay in predicting 5-year outcomes in an early intervention program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Past research on the relationship between treatment delay and outcomes for first-episode psychosis has primarily focused on the role of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in predicting symptomatic outcomes up to 2 years. In the current study we examine the influence of both DUP and duration of untreated illness (DUI) on symptoms and functioning at 5 years follow-up while controlling for other early characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 132 patients with first-episode psychosis and treated in an early intervention program were prospectively followed up for 5 years. Outcomes assessed included positive and negative symptoms, overall functioning, weeks on disability pension and weeks of full-time competitive employment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While DUP showed a significant correlation with level of positive symptoms at follow-up, this was not independent of pre-morbid social adjustment. DUI emerged as a more robust independent predictor of negative symptoms, social and occupational functioning and use of a disability pension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delay between onset of non-specific symptoms and treatment may be a more important influence on long-term functioning for first-episode patients than DUP. This suggests the possible value of treating such signs and symptoms as early as possible regardless of the effectiveness of such interventions in reducing likelihood or severity of psychotic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R M G
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manchanda
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Windell
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harricharan
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Northcott
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hassall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult