Clinical insight among persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated with amisulpride, aripiprazole or olanzapine: a semi-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic treatment may improve clinical insight. However, previous studies have reported inconclusive findings on whether antipsychotics improve insight over and above the reduction in symptoms of psychosis. These studies assessed homogeneous samples in terms of stage of illness. Randomised studies investigating a mixed population of first- and multiepisode schizophrenia spectrum disorders might clarify this disagreement. METHODS: Our data were derived from a pragmatic, rater-blinded, semi-randomised trial that compared the effectiveness of amisulpride, aripiprazole and olanzapine. A sample of 144 patients with first- or multiepisode schizophrenia spectrum disorders underwent eight assessments during a 1-year follow-up. Clinical insight was assessed by item General 12 from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We analysed latent growth curve models to test if the medications had a direct effect on insight that was over and above the reduction in total psychosis symptoms. Furthermore, we investigated whether there were differences between the study drugs in terms of insight. RESULTS: Based on allocation analysis, all three drugs were associated with a reduction in total psychosis symptoms in the initial phase (weeks 0-6). Amisulpride and olanzapine were associated with improved insight over and above what was related to the reduction in total psychosis symptoms in the long-term phase (weeks 6-52). However, these differential effects were lost when only including the participants that chose the first drug in the randomisation sequence. We found no differential effect on insight among those who were antipsychotic-naïve and those who were previously medicated with antipsychotics. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that antipsychotic treatment improves insight, but whether the effect on insight surpasses the effect of reduced total psychosis symptoms is more uncertain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01446328, 05.10.2011.

The Family Psychoeducation Fidelity Scale: Psychometric Properties.

This study examined psychometric properties and feasibility of the Family Psychoeducation (FPE) Fidelity Scale. Fidelity assessors conducted reviews using the FPE fidelity scale four times over 18 months at five sites in Norway. After completing fidelity reviews, assessors rated feasibility of the fidelity review process. The FPE fidelity scale showed excellent interrater reliability (.99), interrater item agreement (88%), and internal consistency (mean = .84 across four time points). By the 18-month follow-up, all five sites increased fidelity and three reached adequate fidelity. Fidelity assessors rated feasibility as excellent. The FPE fidelity scale has good psychometric properties and is feasible for evaluating the implementation of FPE programs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03271242.

Help seeking for mental health problems in an adolescent population: the effect of gender.

Background: While the onset of many mental health problems occurs in adolescence, these problems are severely undertreated in this age group. To inform early intervention for adolescents, we investigated the effect of gender and education type on perception of barriers to help seeking, mental health literacy, and the awareness and use of mental health services. Method: A web-based survey using vignettes, open-ended and multiple choice items was administered to upper secondary school students in two counties in Norway. Results: The survey was completed by 1249 students (88% response rate) with an average age of 17.6 years and 56% were female. Compared to males, the females were better in identifying psychological problems of anxiety and trauma, awareness of mental health services (p < 0.001) and perceived more barriers for seeking help (cost and waiting time; p < 0.001). For use of all mental health services, the effect of education type was greater than the effect of gender. Conclusion: For adolescents, gender appears to play a significant, but not exclusive, role in the inclination to seek professional help for mental health problems. We hypothesise that the observed gender difference in use of services is related to the gender difference in awareness of referral pathway services and the influence of parents in help-seeking process.

Persistent increase in TNF and IL-1 markers in severe mental disorders suggests trait-related inflammation: a one year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated if plasma levels of inflammatory markers are persistently altered in severe mental disorders with psychotic symptoms or associated with state characteristics in a longitudinal study. METHODS: Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were measured in schizophrenia (n = 69) and affective (n = 55) spectrum patients at baseline and at one-year follow-up, and compared to healthy controls (HC) (n = 92) with analysis of covariance. Association between change in symptoms and inflammatory markers was analyzed with mixed-effects models. RESULTS: sTNF-R1 was higher in the schizophrenia (P < 0.0001) and affective disorders (P = 0.02) compared to HC, while IL-1Ra was higher in schizophrenia (P = 0.01) compared to HC at one year follow-up. There were no significant differences between schizophrenia and affective groups; however, levels in the affective group were in between schizophrenia and HC for sTNF-R1 and IL-1Ra. There were no significant associations between change in symptoms and inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Persistently increased sTNF-R1 and IL-1Ra after one year in patients with severe mental disorders primarily reflecting data from the schizophrenia group may suggest that inflammation is a trait phenomenon, and not only the result of stress-related mechanisms associated with acute episodes.

Early detection of psychosis: positive effects on 5-year outcome.

BACKGROUND: During the last decades we have seen a new focus on early treatment of psychosis. Several reviews have shown that duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is correlated to better outcome. However, it is still unknown whether early treatment will lead to a better long-term outcome. This study reports the effects of reducing DUP on 5-year course and outcome. METHOD: During 1997-2000 a total of 281 consecutive patients aged >17 years with first episode non-affective psychosis were recruited, of which 192 participated in the 5-year follow-up. A comprehensive early detection (ED) programme with public information campaigns and low-threshold psychosis detection teams was established in one healthcare area (ED-area), but not in a comparable area (no-ED area). Both areas ran equivalent treatment programmes during the first 2 years and need-adapted treatment thereafter. RESULTS: At the start of treatment, ED-patients had shorter DUP and less symptoms than no-ED-patients. There were no significant differences in treatment (psychotherapy and medication) for the 5 years. Mixed-effects modelling showed better scores for the ED group on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative, depressive and cognitive factors and for global assessment of functioning for social functioning at 5-year follow-up. The ED group also had more contacts with friends. Regression analysis did not find that these differences could be explained by confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment had positive effects on clinical and functional status at 5-year follow-up in first episode psychosis.

Involuntary hospitalization of first-episode psychosis with substance abuse during a 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether substance abuse (alcohol or illegal drugs) in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) influenced treatment outcomes such as involuntary hospitalization during follow-up. METHOD: First-episode psychosis patients (n = 103) with consecutive admissions to a comprehensive early psychosis program were included and followed for 2 years. Assessment measures were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, and the Clinician Rating Scale (for substance abuse). RESULTS: Twenty-four per cent of patients abused either alcohol or drugs at baseline. The dropout rate at 2 years was the same for substance abusers as for non-abusers. Substance use was not reduced over the 2-year period. At 2-year follow-up, 72% of substance abusers and 31% of non-abusers had experienced at least one occasion of involuntary hospitalization. Patients with substance abuse had significantly higher risk for involuntary hospitalization during follow-up (OR 5.2). CONCLUSION: To adequately treat patients with FEP, clinicians must emphasize treatment of the substance abuse disorder, as well as the psychotic illness. Patients with defined comorbid substance use disorders and FEP are likely to have poorer treatment response than those with psychosis alone.

Early identification of non-remission in first-episode psychosis in a two-year outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of non-remission in first-episode, non-affective psychosis. METHOD: During 4 years, we recruited 301 patients consecutively. Information about first remission at 3 months was available for 299 and at 2 years for 293 cases. Symptomatic and social outcomes were assessed at 3 months, 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients (43%) remained psychotic at 3 months and 48 patients (16.4%) remained psychotic over 2 years. When we compared premorbid and baseline data for the three groups, the non-remitted (n = 48), remitted for <6 months (n = 38) and for more than 6 months (n = 207), duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was the only variable that significantly differentiated the groups (median DUP: 25.5, 14.4 and 6.0 weeks, respectively). Three months univariate predictors of non-remission were being single, longer DUP, core schizophrenia, and less excitative and more negative symptoms at baseline. Two-year predictors were younger age, being single and male, deteriorating premorbid social functioning, longer DUP and core schizophrenia. In multivariate analyses DUP, negative and excitative symptoms predicted non-remission at 3 months, but only DUP predicted at 2 years. CONCLUSION: Long DUP predicted both 3 month and 2-year non-remission rates in first-episode psychosis.

Are multi family groups appropriate for patients with first episode psychosis? A 5-year naturalistic follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcome over 5 years for patients who participated in multi family groups (MFGs) to those who refused or were not offered participation. METHOD: Of 301 first episode psychotic patients aged 15-65 years, 147 participated in MFGs. Outcome was measured by drop-out rates, positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) symptom scores, and duration of psychotic episodes during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Multi family group participants had a significantly lower drop-out rates at 5-year follow-up than patients who did not participate. However, the MFG participants had significantly less improvement in PANSS positive and excitative symptoms and had significantly longer duration of psychotic symptoms during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Multi family groups appear to increase the chance of retaining patients in a follow-up study, but adjustment of the programme may be necessary with first episode psychosis patients to meet their needs better.

Baseline profiles of adolescent vs. adult-onset first-episode psychosis in an early detection program.

OBJECTIVE: Psychotic disorders often start in adolescence. We aim to investigate premorbid and baseline differences characterizing patients with an onset of psychosis in adolescence versus adulthood. METHOD: We compare first-episode, DSM-IV non-affective psychosis with onset before (n = 43) and after (n = 189) 18 years on duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), level of symptoms, suicidal behaviour, and other baseline clinical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Adolescent onset patients had poorer premorbid functioning, a longer DUP, higher suicidality, and more depressive symptoms. They also had better cognition, fewer psychotic symptoms, and were more likely to be treated on an out-patient basis. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with first-episode psychosis may have a slower and more silent, i.e. insidious onset, and are at risk of experiencing longer treatment delays than adults. They fit the description of what used to be labeled process (versus reactive) schizophrenia.

Early detection strategies for untreated first-episode psychosis.

Some studies in first-episode schizophrenia correlate shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) with better prognosis, suggesting that timing of treatment may be important. A three-site prospective clinical trial in Norway and Denmark is underway to investigate the effect of the timing of treatment in first-episode psychosis. One health care sector (Rogaland, Norway) is experimental and has developed an early detection (ED) system to reduce DUP. Two other sectors (Ullevål, Norway, and Roskilde, Denmark) are comparison sectors and rely on existing detection and referral systems for first-episode cases. The study ultimately will compare early detected with usual detected patients. This paper describes the study's major independent intervention variable, i.e. a comprehensive education and detection system to change DUP in first onset psychosis. System variables and first results from the four-year inclusion period (1997-2000) are described. It includes targeted information towards the general public, health professionals and schools, and ED teams to recruit appropriate patients into treatment as soon as possible. This plus easy access to psychiatric services via ED teams systematically changed referral patterns of first-episode schizophrenia. DUP was reduced by 1.5 years (mean) from before the time the ED system was instituted (to 0.5 years). The ED strategies appear to be effective and to influence directly the community's help-seeking behaviour.

Early detection and intervention in first-episode schizophrenia: a critical review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on early intervention in psychosis and to evaluate relevant studies. METHOD: Early intervention was defined as intervention in the prodromal phase (primary prevention) and intervention after the onset of psychosis, i.e. shortening of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) (secondary prevention). RESULTS: We found few studies aimed at early intervention, but many papers discussing the idea at a more general level. We identified no studies that prove that intervention in the prodromal phase is possible without a high risk for treating false positives. We identified some studies aimed at reducing DUP, but the results are ambiguous and, until now, no follow-up data showing a positive effect on prognosis have been presented. CONCLUSION: Early intervention in psychosis is a difficult and important challenge for the psychiatric health services. At the time being reduction of DUP seems to be the most promising strategy. Intervention in the prodromal phase is more ethically and conceptually problematic.