Duration of untreated psychosis predicts functional and clinical outcome in children and adolescents with first-episode psychosis: A 2-year longitudinal study

Abstract

Longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in adult patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) has been associated with poor clinical and social outcomes. We aimed to estimate the influence of DUP on outcome at 2-year follow-up in subjects with an early-onset (less than 18. years of age) FEP of less than 6. months' duration. A total of 80 subjects (31.3% females, mean age 16.0. ±. 1.8. years) were enrolled in the study. The influence of DUP on outcome was estimated using multiple regression models (two linear models for influence of DUP on the C-GAF at 2. years and C-GAF change through the follow-up period, and a logistic model for influence of DUP on 41 PANSS remission at 2 years in schizophrenia patients (n. = 47)). Mean DUP was 65.3. ±. 54.7. days. Median DUP was 49.5. days. For the whole sample (n. = 80), DUP was the only variable significantly related to C-GAF score at 2-year follow-up (Beta. = -0.13, p.