Does duration of untreated psychosis predict very long term outcome of schizophrenic disorders? results of a retrospective study

作者：Primavera Diego; Bandecchi Chiara; Lepori Tiziana; Sanna Lucia; Nicotra Eraldo; Carpiniello Bernardo^*

来源：Annals of General Psychiatry, 2012, 11(1): 21.

DOI：10.1186/1744-859X-11-21

Background: Studies performed to assess the relevance of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) as a predictor of long-term outcome (i.e. follow-ups of ten years or more) are somewhat limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association between DUP and very long-term outcome (16-33 yrs) of schizophrenia by means of a retrospective design. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Retrospective data obtained from clinical records were collected regarding DUP and outcome variables (number of hospitalizations; number of attempted suicides; course of illness; GAF scores at last observation) for a cohort of 80 outpatients (52 Males, 28 Females, mean age 51.0+/-11.58 years) affected by schizophrenia according to DSMIVTR attending a university community mental health centre. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Mean duration of follow up was 25.2+/-8.68 years; mean duration of untreated psychosis was 49.00 months (range 1-312 mo), with no significant difference according to gender. Patients with a shorter DUP (=/%26lt;1 year) displayed more frequent %26quot;favourable%26quot; courses of illness (28.9% vs 8.6%) (p = 0.025), more frequent cases with limited (=/%26lt;3) number of hospital admissions (85.7% vs 62.1%) (p = 0.047) and a better functioning (mean GAF score = 50.32+/-16.49 vs 40.26+/-9.60, p = 0.002); regression analyses confirmed that shorter DUP independently predicted a more positive outcome in terms of number of hospital admissions, course of illness, functioning (GAF scores). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: A shorter DUP appears to act as a significant predictor of better outcome in schizophrenia even in the very long-term.

• 出版日期2012-8-2