RESUMEN
AIM: In 2016 NICE updated its guidance, extending the age to which early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services treat patients following their first episode of psychosis, to 65 years, from the previous cut-off of 35 years. The aim of this service evaluation was to identify differences in the demographic details, diagnoses, and treatments between patients below and above 35 years to identify any unmet needs in the latter age category. METHODS: A total of 100 patients from the caseload were randomly selected, with 50 from each age group, to analyse in further detail. Descriptive statistics was predominantly used due to the relatively small sample size. RESULTS: The over 35 s were predominantly female (62%), whilst the under 35 s were predominantly male (66%). There was a statistically significantly higher rate of substance misuse in the under 35 s. Whilst schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis in both groups, higher rates of delusional disorders and psychosis NOS were observed in the over 35 s. In both age groups, a median of two different medications was used per patient. However, amongst the over 35 s there is less use of psychological therapy and of support, time and recovery workers (STR workers). CONCLUSION: There are distinct differences between the two age groups including demographic and diagnostic features. Being historically youth based, EIP services needs to ensure that treatments offered are tailored to meet the need of the older age demographic who have different needs.
