Physical Activity, Quality of Life and Global Functioning an Early Stages of Psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Regular practice of physical activity is associated with better quality of life and functioning in people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence of the association between physical activity and quality of life and global functioning among people in the initial stages of psychosis. The aim to explore the association of the level of physical activity with quality of life and global functioning among patients in early stages of psychosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in an early intervention program in 2016. The socio-demographic and clinical variables were assessed via a form; the adherence through the Measurement of Treatment Adherence; the global functioning through the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale; the level of physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and quality of life through the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The Mann-Whitney test was used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of eighty-five participants (mean age=32, 57.6% were men) were assessed. Of the 85, 46 (54.1%) were classified as physically active. The physically active patients presented higher values, on average (standard deviation), in relation to the SF-36 domain of physical functioning (active patients: 87.1 (20.9) vs. inactive patients 80.1 (20.5) inactive; p=0.016), and global functioning when compared to the physically inactive group (active patients: 71.5 (17.6) vs. inactive patients 60.1 (20.9); p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better quality of life and higher global functioning in patients in early stages of psychosis.

Disengagement from the Ribeirão Preto early intervention program for psychosis: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment discontinuation within Early Intervention Services (EIS) for psychosis poses a significant challenge to achieving better outcomes in the early stages of psychotic disorders. Prevalence and predictors of early disengagement from EIS located in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain poorly investigated. We aimed to examine the rates and predictors of disengagement from the Ribeirão Preto Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (Ribeirão Preto-EIP) in Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from patients referred to the Ribeirão Preto-EIP between January 01, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Exclusion criteria were individuals with a single consultation, a diagnosis other than a psychotic disorder, and documented cases of death. RESULTS: Our sample comprised 234 patients, with an overall median follow-up time of 14.2 months. Early treatment disengagement was observed in 26.5 % (n=62), with a median time to disengagement of 5.25 months. Univariable analysis identified non-white skin color (HR=2.10, 95 %CI 1.26-3.49), positive THC screening (HR=2.22, 95 %CI 1.23-4.01), and substance-induced psychosis (HR=2.15, 95 %CI 1.10-4.21) as significant predictors. In multivariable analysis, only non-white skin color remained a significant predictor of early disengagement (HR=1.87, 95 %CI 1.08-3.27). CONCLUSIONS: The observed rates of early disengagement in our sample are similar to those reported in wealthy countries, but higher than previously reported for LMICs. Non-white skin color predicted early disengagement in our sample, probably due to social disadvantages. Our data highlights the need for enhanced research elucidating the specific features of EIS in LMICs.

Early intervention in psychosis in emerging countries: Findings from a first-episode psychosis programme in the Ribeirão Preto catchment area, southeastern Brazil.

AIM: People presenting with first-episode psychosis (FEP) can benefit from early intervention programmes. However, such programmes are scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Brazil, there are a few programmes, but they are unequally distributed across the country. We aimed to describe the implementation and performance of the Ribeirão Preto Early Intervention in Psychosis Programme (Ribeirão Preto-EIP), an outpatient service for patients presenting with FEP residing in the Ribeirão Preto catchment area in Southeastern Brazil. METHODS: A detailed description of the service, staff and theoretical framework was compiled. Furthermore, a retrospective cohort study of patients attending the programme throughout 4 years (2015-2018) was conducted. Data were obtained by analysing the medical records of all patients, and sociodemographic and diagnostic stability information for this period was recorded. RESULTS: The Ribeirão Preto-EIP had 358 new referrals during the study period. Among them, 237 patients were assessed for an average (median) duration of 14 months. Most patients were male (64.1%) and single (84.8%). The median age was 23.5 years (range, 9-86 years). Schizophrenia was the main diagnosis (43.4%), followed by substance-induced (25.7%) and affective (18.6%) psychosis. Referrals occurred from emergency, inpatient, community-based mental health and primary care services. CONCLUSIONS: Programmes such as the Ribeirão Preto-EIP demonstrate that early intervention in psychosis is feasible in LMICs despite significant challenges for their access and integration in the health system. Strategic scale-up policies could be undertaken to offer better short- and long-term outcomes for individuals presenting with FEP and their families.