Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and sociodemographic characteristics previously associated with psychosis, between individuals at high-risk for psychosis (HR) and patients experiencing a first episode psychosis (FEP), to achieve a better understanding of factors associated with psychosis.
METHOD: 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 2 years to establish the proportion of HR who made the transition into FEP.
RESULTS: 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 2 year follow-up, only three (10%) of the HR group made a transition into FEP.
CONCLUSION: The similarities observed between individuals at HR and those with FEP suggest that known variables associated with psychosis may be equally prevalent in people at HR who do not develop a psychotic disorder.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 210-6 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica |
Volume | 127 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2013 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Educational Status
- Employment/statistics & numerical data
- Ethnic Groups/psychology
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Marital Status/statistics & numerical data
- Prevalence
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data
- Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology
- Risk Factors
- Socioeconomic Factors
- United Kingdom/epidemiology
- Young Adult