Early predictors for late hospitalizations up to 14 years after first episode psychosis.

Purpose: New hospitalizations after first episode psychosis (FEP) may be viewed as an indicator of instability in a psychotic disorder. In the current study we wanted to analyse long term risk for psychosis hospitalizations after FEP. We also wanted to analyse predictors for late hospitalizations, with focus on early antipsychotic medication.

Early recovery and employment outcome 13 years after first episode psychosis.

175 cases of first episode psychosis were recruited to the Parachute project in 1996-97. The program offered highly available and continuous psychosocial support and a cautious use of antipsychotic medication for 5 years from inclusion. Outcome-data for year 13 after inclusion, were retrieved from Swedish population registries on 161 of the original cases.

Macrophage activation-like syndrome: an immunological entity associated with rapid progression to death in sepsis.

Background: A subanalysis of a randomized clinical trial indicated sepsis survival benefit from interleukin (IL)-1 blockade in patients with features of the macrophage activation-like syndrome (MALS). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of MALS and to develop a biomarker of diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods: Patients with infections and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were assigned to one test cohort (n = 3417) and a validation cohort (n = 1704).

Psychometric evaluation of the Danish and Swedish Satisfaction with Life Scale in first episode psychosis patients.

Purpose: To psychometrically evaluate the Satisfaction with Life Scale in two cohorts of first-episode psychosis patients in the Danish National Schizophrenia Project and in the Swedish Parachute Project.

Method: Four properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale were examined in the Danish cohort (explorative investigation) and then confirmed in the Swedish cohort: (1) the factor structure; (2) correlations between subscales; (3) internal consistencies of subscales; and (4) main tendencies (arithmetic means) and variations (standard deviations) of subscales. The relations between the Satisfaction with Life Scale and various life conditions were investigated in the Swedish cohort.

Association between financial strain, social network and five-year recovery from first episode psychosis.

Despite much effort to positively affect long-term outcome in psychosis and schizophrenia many patients are still facing a poor outcome with persistent psychotic symptoms and decline in social functioning. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between financial strain and social network and five-year outcome of first episode psychosis (FEP). FEP patients were divided into recovered (n = 52) and non-recovered (n = 19).

Gender differences in the prediction of 5-year outcome in first episode psychosis.

Objective: To examine gender differences in prediction of long-term outcome in first episode psychosis (FEP).

Method: Eighty-one male and 72 female FEP patients were compared regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the Predictive Rating Scale (PRS). The contributions of pre-admission clinical and socio-demographic characteristics to a poor 5-year outcome were analysed for males and females separately.

Diagnostic stability over 3 years in a total group of first-episode psychosis patients.

First-episode psychosis (FEP) patients are often given diagnoses that later have to be changed. The aim of this study was to measure the diagnostic stability in a total group of FEP patients; 146 FEP patients were followed longitudinally and prospectively. Their revised baseline diagnoses were compared with their 3-year follow-up diagnoses.

Outpatient vs. comprehensive first-episode psychosis services, a 5-year follow-up of Soteria Nacka.

Three years experience of an outpatient unit for first-episode psychosis showed that most of the patients at some point became hospitalized in a psychiatric ward with discontinuity in care as a consequence. Adding "need-adapted" inpatient care in the form of a small and calm crisis home guaranteed continuity in approach and treatment, as the same caregivers staffed the inpatient and outpatient parts of Soteria. Information on early signs of psychosis was given to other units of the psychiatric clinic and to general practitioners.

Treatment costs and clinical outcome for first episode schizophrenia patients: a 3-year follow-up of the Swedish "Parachute Project" and two comparison groups.

Objective: To evaluate "need-specific treatment" of first episode schizophrenia syndrome patients.

Method: Sixty-one consecutive first episode schizophrenia syndrome patients were followed over 3 years. They were compared with a Historical "treatment as usual" group (n = 41) and a Prospective group from a high quality social and biological psychiatry centre (n = 25).

Predicting 5-year outcome in first-episode psychosis: construction of a prognostic rating scale.

Objective: The aim of this study was to construct a rating scale to predict long-term outcome on the basis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in patients with symptoms of psychosis who seek psychiatric help for the first time.

Method: Patients (N = 153) experiencing their first episode of psychosis (DSM-IV schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, brief psychotic episode, delusional disorder, affective psychosis with mood-incongruent delusions, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified or being actively psychotic) were consecutively recruited from 17 psychiatric clinics in Sweden from January 1996 through December 1997 (24 months). Baseline characteristics were assessed with an extensive battery of psychiatric rating scales; duration of untreated psychosis, premorbid characteristics, and cognitive functioning were also assessed.

Neuropsychological functions predict 1- and 3-year outcome in first-episode psychosis.

Objective: To examine neuropsychological performance as a possible predictor of course and outcome in first-episode psychotic (FEP) patients.

Method: A group of consecutive FEP patients (n = 120) tested with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Revised (WAIS-R) at baseline was compared with a healthy group (n = 30) matched for age, education and gender. Relationship between WAIS-R and both Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Global Assessment of Function (GAF) ratings were studied at baseline and at 1- and 3-year follow-ups.

Background factors as determinants of satisfaction with care among first-episode psychosis patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of demographic and psychosocial background factors and psychiatric and functional status before and at admission on the patients' satisfaction with care (PSC) among first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.

Method: One year after entering the Parachute Project, 134 FEP patients completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire. The association with demographic and psychosocial background factors, together with psychiatric and functional status before and after admission, was analysed.

Psychosocial correlates with depressive symptoms six years after a first episode of psychosis as compared with findings from a general population sample.

Background: Depression is frequently occurring during and after psychosis. The aim of this study was to analyze if the psychosocial characteristics associated with depression/depressive symptoms in the late phase of a first episode psychosis (FEP) population were different compared to persons from the general population.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent out to all individuals six years after their FEP and to a general population sample.