Duration of Untreated Psychosis in Community Treatment Settings in the United States
Publication Date
2015
Journal Title
Psychiatr Serv
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study is the first to examine duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) among persons receiving care in community mental health centers in the United States. METHODS: Participants were 404 individuals (ages 15-40) who presented for treatment for first-episode psychosis at 34 nonacademic clinics in 21 states. DUP and individual- and site-level variables were measured. RESULTS: Median DUP was 74 weeks (mean=193.5+/-262.2 weeks; 68% of participants had DUP of greater than six months). Correlates of longer DUP included earlier age at first psychotic symptoms, substance use disorder, positive and general symptom severity, poorer functioning, and referral from outpatient treatment settings. CONCLUSIONS: This study reported longer DUP than studies conducted in academic settings but found similar correlates of DUP. Reducing DUP in the United States will require examination of factors in treatment delay in local service settings and targeted strategies for closing gaps in pathways to specialty FEP care.
Volume Number
66
Issue Number
7
Pages
753-6
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2015/01/16
Status
Faculty, Northwell Researcher
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
Psychiatry
Additional Departments
Molecular Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1176/appi.ps.201400124