J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2004 Jul;43(4):401-406.

Clinical Correlates of Duration of Untreated Psychosis in Patients with Schizophrenia

• Jon DI
• Lee S
• Kong J

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Number of previous studies reported poor treatment outcome of longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether DUP was associated with clinical and cognitive variables in patients with schizophrenia in Korea.
METHODS
The data were collected from forty-five patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia who were hospitalizaed. Demographic data, psychiatric family history, insight, duration of first hospitalization, age of onset, DUP, cognitive function, and premorbid functioning were assessed.
RESULTS
The mean DUP was 23.7 months. Female subjects showed longer DUP (p<0.007) independent of age of onset. No significant correlations were observed between DUP and clinical and cognitive variables except the highest Global Assessment Functioning score in past year (r=-0.35, p=0.02).
CONCLUSION
These findings do not support the hypothesis of a psychotoxic effect of prolonged period of untreated psychosis.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Duration of untreated psychosis; Gender; Premorbid function

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Hospitalization
Humans
Korea
Psychotic Disorders*
Schizophrenia*
Treatment Outcome