What is the duration of untreated psychosis worldwide? - A meta-analysis of pooled mean and median time and regional trends and other correlates across 369 studies

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been associated with poor mental health outcomes. We aimed to meta-analytically estimate the mean and median DUP worldwide, evaluating also the influence of several moderating factors. This PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis searched for non-overlapping individual studies from inception until 9/12/2022, reporting mean ± s.d. or median DUP in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), without language restrictions. We conducted random-effect meta-analyses, stratified analyses, heterogeneity analyses, meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (PROSPERO:CRD42020163640). From 12 461 citations, 369 studies were included. The mean DUP was 42.6 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 40.6-44.6, k = 283, n = 41 320), varying significantly across continents (p < 0.001). DUP was (in descending order) 70.0 weeks (95% CI 51.6-88.4, k = 11, n = 1508) in Africa; 48.8 weeks (95% CI 43.8-53.9, k = 73, n = 12 223) in Asia; 48.7 weeks (95% CI 43.0-54.4, k = 36, n = 5838) in North America; 38.6 weeks (95% CI 36.0-41.3, k = 145, n = 19 389) in Europe; 34.9 weeks (95% CI 23.0-46.9, k = 11, n = 1159) in South America and 28.0 weeks (95% CI 20.9-35.0, k = 6, n = 1203) in Australasia. There were differences depending on the income of countries: DUP was 48.4 weeks (95% CI 43.0-48.4, k = 58, n = 5635) in middle-low income countries and 41.2 weeks (95% CI 39.0-43.4, k = 222, n = 35 685) in high income countries. Longer DUP was significantly associated with older age (β = 0.836, p < 0.001), older publication year (β = 0.404, p = 0.038) and higher proportion of non-White FEP patients (β = 0.232, p < 0.001). Median DUP was 14 weeks (Interquartile range = 8.8-28.0, k = 206, n = 37 215). In conclusion, DUP is high throughout the world, with marked variation. Efforts to identify and intervene sooner in patients with FEP, and to promote global mental health and access to early intervention services (EIS) are critical, especially in developing countries.

Tracking Needs-Based Community and Specialized Services of Young Adults and Their Parents Before and During a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP): Highlighting Intervention Trajectories in FEP

Aim

This article aims to document 10 service trajectories of young adults (YA) and their parents, informed by healthcare professionals (HP), before and during a first episode of psychosis (FEP).

Design

Based on a crisis model perspective of the Life Course Theory (Elder; Elder and Shanahan) developed by Carpentier and White, and adapted to the current context to track community and specialized services trajectories. Thematic analysis was used to code responses to open-ended questions around the need for help and accessing services by young adults affected by a psychotic disorder, and their parents.

Setting

In collaboration with FEP clinics, setting of choice by YA and their parents.

Participants

5 YA, 12 parents, and 6 HP.

Results

10 individual service trajectories grouped into 3 distinct types of trajectories (optimal, typical, and complex) based on grouping 5 similar characteristics, highlighting service access complexity and early intervention in FEP.

Conclusion

This study is the first of its kind to examine the experiences of those who seek needs-based community and specialized services leading up to and during a FEP. Findings provide key insights related to early intervention in FEP and recommendations on improving access to such services in Quebec.

Mobile health in the specific management of first-episode psychosis: a systematic literature review

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic literature review is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of mobile health methods in the management of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Method

The participants are patients with FEP. The interventions are smartphone applications. The studies assess the preliminary efficacy of various types of application.

Results

One study found that monitoring symptoms minimized relapses, visits to A&E and hospital admissions, while one study showed a decrease in positive psychotic symptoms. One study found an improvement in anxiety symptoms and two studies noted an improvement in psychotic symptoms. One study demonstrated its efficacy in helping participants return to studying and employment and one study reported improved motivation.

Conclusion

The studies suggest that mobile applications have potential value in the management of young patients with FEP through the use of various assessment and intervention tools. This systematic review has several limitations due to the lack of randomized controlled studies available in the literature.

Subjective cognitive complaints in first episode psychosis: A focused follow-up on sex effect and alcohol usage

A network of early psychosis-specific intervention programs at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, conducted a longitudinal naturalistic five-year study at two Urban Early Intervention Services (EIS). In this study, 198 patients were recruited based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Our objectives were to assess the subjective cognition complaints of schizophrenic patients assessed by Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) in their first-episode psychosis (FEP) in relation to their general characteristics. We also wanted to assess whether there are sex-based differences in the subjective cognitive complaints, as well as differences in cognitive complaints among patients who use alcohol in comparison to those who are abstainers. Additionally, we wanted to monitor the changes in the subjective complaints progress for a period of five years follow-up. Our findings showed that although women expressed more cognitive complaints than men [mean (SD) SSTICS, 28.2 (13.7) for women and 24.7 (13.2) for men], this difference was not statistically significant (r = -0.190, 95 % CI, -0. 435 to 0. 097). We also found that abstainers complained more about their cognition than alcohol consumers [mean (SD) SSTICS, 27.9 (13.4) for abstainers and 23.7 (12.9) for consumers], a difference which was statistically significant (r = -0.166, 95 % CI, -0. 307 to -0.014). Our findings showed a drop in the average score of SSTICS through study follow-up time among FEP patients. In conclusion, we suggest that if we want to set up a good cognitive remediation program, it is useful to start with the patients' demands. This demand can follow the patients' complaints. Further investigations are needed in order to propose different approaches between alcohol users and abstinent patients concerning responding to their cognitive complaints.