@article{ref1,
title="Does duration of untreated psychosis predict very long term outcome of schizophrenic disorders? results of a retrospective study",
journal="Annals of general psychiatry",
year="2012",
author="Primavera, D. and Bandecchi, C. and Lepori, T. and Sanna, L. and Nicotra, E. and Carpiniello, B.",
volume="11",
number="",
pages="-",
abstract="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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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 (=/< 1 year) displayed more frequent &quot; favourable&quot; courses of illness (28.9% vs 8.6%) (p = 0.025), more frequent cases with limited (=/< 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).<br><br>CONCLUSION: A shorter DUP appears to act as a significant predictor of better outcome in schizophrenia even in the very long-term. © 2012 Primavera et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1744-859X",
doi="10.1186/1744-859X-11-21",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-11-21"
}