French researchers looked at the outcomes of 467 “antipsychotic drug-naive” patients six months after a first psychotic episode (and treatment with medication), finding that the outcomes were heterogenous. A lower initial level of functioning and negative symptoms were the best predictors of worse outcomes. The sole predictor of rapid improvement, however, was employment. Results appear in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
Abstract →
C. Nordon1, F. Rouillon, J. M. Azorin, C. Barry, et al; Trajectories of antipsychotic response in drug-naive schizophrenia patients: results from the 6-month ESPASS follow-up study. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. Article first published online: 18 APR 2013. DOI: 10.1111/acps.12135
