Impact of duration of untreated psychosis on the treatment outcome among first episode schizophrenia patients.

INTRODUCTION: Duration of untreated psychosis(DUP) is the time interval between onset of definite psychotic symptoms and first appropriate treatment. DUP has been one of the most commonly studied predictors of the outcome of schizophrenia. A significant association between DUP and several outcome indicators(including total symptoms, depression/anxiety, negative symptoms, positive symptoms, overall functioning and social functioning) was found. Longer DUP was associated with a worse outcome. However, evidence provided with regard to the effectiveness of early interventions in improving the course and outcome of psychotic conditions is somewhat conflicting. AIM: To measure the duration of untreated psychosis and study it’s impact on the short term(at 12 weeks) treatment outcome among the drug naïve schizophrenic patients METHODOLOGY: Schizophrenic patients attending the Psychiatric department of SVS Hospital, Mahbubnagar who gave informed consent were considered for the study from June 2020 to May 2021. Semi-structured proforma for obtaining socio-demographic and clinical data, ICD-10, PANSS (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale), CGI scale (Clinical Global Impression) were used. The results were statistically analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were recruited in the study. Sociodemographic data, PANSS and CGI scores at the time of presentation and 12 weeks after treatment were calculated. Results and discussion will be presented during the conference. CONCLUSION: Understanding factors contributing to negative outcome can help to plan interventions as an important component of treatment programs. ____________ 1 2 3 4