Effect of delaying treatment of first-episode psychosis on symptoms and social outcomes: a longitudinal analysis and modelling study
Analysis of 2 cohorts found longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) predicted reduced response to antipsychotics. In one cohort, increasing DUP ten times predicted a reduction in Positive and Negative Symptom Scale total response of 7.339 (95% CI 5.762 to 8.916; p<0.0001).
Source:
The Lancet Psychiatry
SPS commentary:
The authors conclude that the observed associations underscore the importance of rapid access to a comprehensive range of treatments, especially in the first weeks after psychosis onset. A related Comment discusses the findings.