title: Unmet needs in patients with first-episode schizophrenia: a longitudinal perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to identify the course of unmet needs by patients with a first episode of schizophrenia and to determine associated variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated baseline assessments in the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST) and also follow-up interviews at 6 and 12 months. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify patient groups based on individual differences in the development of unmet needs. Multinomial logistic regression determined the predictors of group membership.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four classes were identified. Three differed in their baseline levels of unmet needs whereas the fourth had a marked decrease in such needs. Main predictors of class membership were prognosis and depression at baseline, and the quality of life and psychosocial intervention at follow-up. Depression at follow-up did not vary among classes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified subtypes of patients with different courses of unmet needs. Prognosis of clinical improvement was a better predictor for the decline in unmet needs than was psychopathology. Needs concerning social relationships were particularly persistent in patients who remained high in their unmet needs and who lacked additional psychosocial treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Social Psychiatry, Zurich University Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland. klandolt@dgsp.uzh.ch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landolt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rössler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ajdacic-Gross
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galderisi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Libiger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naber
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Derks
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Fleischhacker
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult