The prognostic significance of early remission of positive symptoms in first treated psychosis.
We examine the relationship between achieving remission of positive symptoms within 3 months in first episode psychosis and outcomes 5 years later. Time to remission of positive symptoms, other early characteristics and 5 year outcomes were assessed in a prospective study of 132 patients being treated for the first time for a psychotic disorder. Just under 60% of patients showed remission of positive symptoms within 3 months. In comparison to later remitters, they showed lower levels of positive symptoms, greater likelihood of competitive employment and less likelihood of collecting a disability pension at 5 years. Earlier remission of positive symptoms may have prognostic significance for longer term outcomes.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9; Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9. Electronic address: rnorman@uwo.ca.
Ross M G
RM
Norman
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9; Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9.
Rahul
R
Manchanda
Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9.
Deborah
D
Windell
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
Disability; Employment; Functioning; Outcomes; Prognosis; Schizophrenia