TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical profiles, scope and general findings of the Western Sydney First Episode Psychosis Project
AU - Harris, Anthony
AU - Brennan, John
AU - Anderson, Josephine
AU - Taylor, Anne
AU - Sanbrook, Mark
AU - Fitzgerald, Dianne
AU - Lucas, Sara
AU - Redoblado-Hodge, Antoinette
AU - Gomes, Lavier
AU - Gordon, Evian
PY - 2005/1
Y1 - 2005/1
N2 - Objective: To examine the clinical profile, treatment and social functioning of a community-based sample of young people presenting with their first episode of psychosis. Methods: Over a 2-year period, young people with their first episode of psychosis referred to early intervention services in two area mental health services in western Sydney were assessed with a battery of clinical, neuropsychological, psychophysiological and neuroanatomical measures. This paper reports the clinical results of the baseline section of the study. Results: Of the 224 referrals to the project, 94 subjects meet inclusion criteria and agreed to take part. Subjects were divided into three diagnostic groups-'Schizophrenia', 'Mood Disorders' and 'Mixed Psychosis', the latter principally comprised of substance induced psychotic disorders. Subjects from the 'Schizophrenia' group differed significantly from the other two groups in that they had higher levels of negative symptoms and general psychopathology, and were less likely to be employed or engaged in study. They had poorer overall social functioning. Subjects with 'Mixed Psychosis' were similar to those from the 'Schizophrenia' group in that they were older and male, but they did not have the same burden of negative symptoms as the 'Schizophrenia' group. The 'Mood Disorders' group was younger, female and had overall a higher level of psychosocial functioning than the other two groups. Subjects from the 'Mood Disorders' group were more likely to be managed with mood stabilisers and multiple drug therapies. The use of atypical antipsychotic medication was almost universal. Conclusions: Even shortly after the time of presentation to mental health services young people with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis have a heavier burden of symptoms and are significantly more impaired by them than young people with other psychotic illnesses. This and their symptom profile differentiated them from young people with other psychotic disorders.
AB - Objective: To examine the clinical profile, treatment and social functioning of a community-based sample of young people presenting with their first episode of psychosis. Methods: Over a 2-year period, young people with their first episode of psychosis referred to early intervention services in two area mental health services in western Sydney were assessed with a battery of clinical, neuropsychological, psychophysiological and neuroanatomical measures. This paper reports the clinical results of the baseline section of the study. Results: Of the 224 referrals to the project, 94 subjects meet inclusion criteria and agreed to take part. Subjects were divided into three diagnostic groups-'Schizophrenia', 'Mood Disorders' and 'Mixed Psychosis', the latter principally comprised of substance induced psychotic disorders. Subjects from the 'Schizophrenia' group differed significantly from the other two groups in that they had higher levels of negative symptoms and general psychopathology, and were less likely to be employed or engaged in study. They had poorer overall social functioning. Subjects with 'Mixed Psychosis' were similar to those from the 'Schizophrenia' group in that they were older and male, but they did not have the same burden of negative symptoms as the 'Schizophrenia' group. The 'Mood Disorders' group was younger, female and had overall a higher level of psychosocial functioning than the other two groups. Subjects from the 'Mood Disorders' group were more likely to be managed with mood stabilisers and multiple drug therapies. The use of atypical antipsychotic medication was almost universal. Conclusions: Even shortly after the time of presentation to mental health services young people with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis have a heavier burden of symptoms and are significantly more impaired by them than young people with other psychotic illnesses. This and their symptom profile differentiated them from young people with other psychotic disorders.
KW - First episode psychosis
KW - Negative symptoms
KW - Schizophrenia
KW - Substance induced
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=14044265122&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2005.01517.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2005.01517.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 15660704
AN - SCOPUS:14044265122
SN - 0004-8674
VL - 39
SP - 36
EP - 43
JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
IS - 1-2
ER -