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Clinical and sociodemographic comparison of people at high-risk for psychosis and with first-episode psychosis
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 08/21/2012
Zimbron J et al. – The similarities observed between individuals at high–risk for psychosis (HR) and those with first episode psychosis (FEP) suggest that known variables associated with psychosis may be equally prevalent in people at HR who do not develop a psychotic disorder.
Methods- Cross-sectional comparison of 30 individuals at HR with 30 age-gender matched FEP, presenting to an early intervention service for psychosis.
- Participants were followed-up for 2years to establish the proportion of HR who made the transition into FEP.
- Both groups showed similar socio-clinical characteristics, including immigration status, employment history, marital status, family history of psychotic illness, self-harm and alcohol and drug use.
- The HR group had a lower level of education, higher burden of trauma, earlier onset of psychiatric symptoms and a longer delay in accessing specialised services.
- A younger onset of symptoms was associated with a longer delay in accessing services in both groups.
- After a 2year follow-up, only three (10%) of the HR group made a transition into FEP.