title: The 'at-risk mental state' for psychosis in adolescents: clinical presentation, transition and remission.
abstract: Despite increased efforts over the last decade to prospectively identify individuals at ultra-high risk of developing a psychotic illness, limited attention has been specifically directed towards adolescent populations (<18 years). In order to evaluate how those under 18 fulfilling the operationalised criteria for an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) present and fare over time, we conducted an observational study. Participants (N = 30) generally reported a high degree of functional disability and frequent and distressing perceptual disturbance, mainly in the form of auditory hallucinations. Seventy percent (21/30) were found to fulfil the criteria for a co-morbid ICD-10 listed mental health disorder, with mood (affective; 13/30) disorders being most prevalent. Overall transition rates to psychosis were low at 24 months follow-up (2/28; 7.1 %) whilst many participants demonstrated a significant reduction in psychotic-like symptoms. The generalisation of these findings may be limited due to the small sample size and require replication in a larger sample.
authors.affiliation: School for Health, The Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK, patrick.welsh@durham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tiffin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D063189:Symptom Assessment