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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-12-2013 | Original Paper

Patterns of referral in first-episode schizophrenia and ultra high-risk individuals: results from an early intervention program in Italy

Authors: Angelo Cocchi, Anna Meneghelli, Arcadio Erlicher, Alessia Pisano, Maria Teresa Cascio, Antonio Preti

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2013

Abstract

Purpose

This study set out to investigate the patterns of referral in a sample (n = 206) of patients having first-time access to an Italian comprehensive program that targets the early detection of and early intervention on subjects at the onset of psychosis. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the duration of untreated illness (DUI) and/or the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in the sample since the implementation of the program.

Method

Data on pathways of referrals prospectively collected over a 11-year period, from 1999 to 2010; data referred to patients from a defined catchment area, and who met ICD-10 criteria for a first episode of a psychotic disorder (FEP) or were classified to be at ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR) according to the criteria developed by the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) Clinic in Melbourne. Changes over time in the DUI and DUP were investigated in the sample.

Results

Referrals increased over time, with 20 subjects enrolled per year in the latter years of the study. A large majority of patients contacted a public or private mental health care professional along their pathway to treatment, occurring more often in FEP than in UHR patients. FEP patients who had contact with a non-psychiatric health care professional had a longer DUP. Over time, DUP and DUI did not change in FEP patients, but DUI increased, on average, in UHR patients.

Conclusions

The establishment of an EIP in a large metropolitan area led to an increase of referrals from people and agencies that are not directly involved in the mental health care system; over time, there was an increase in the number of patients with longer DUI and DUP than those who normally apply for psychiatric services.

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Title: Patterns of referral in first-episode schizophrenia and ultra high-risk individuals: results from an early intervention program in Italy
Authors: Angelo Cocchi
Anna Meneghelli
Arcadio Erlicher
Alessia Pisano
Maria Teresa Cascio
Antonio Preti
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2013
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0736-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Patterns of referral in first-episode schizophrenia and ultra high-risk individuals: results from an early intervention program in Italy

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

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