Does the duration of untreated psychosis affect prognosis in schizophrenia?

Clinical Dilemma: 'An 18-year-old patient, who has been suffering from a prolonged psychotic state, is hospitalized for the first time in his life in our department. We diagnose his condition as schizophrenia, and start anti-psychotic medication and supportive psychotherapy. His parents join the psycho-educational group for families in our department. After one of the group sessions, his parents worriedly approach us with the question whether the fact that their son had been psychotic and had not received anti-psychotic medications for many months before his hospitalization predicts a bad prognosis for his disease course and outcome. Does the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) affect prognosis in schizophrenia?'

[The effect of small doses of ionizing radiation on the development of vascular brain diseases]. / K voprosu o vliianii malykh doz ioniziruiushchei radiatsii na razvitie sosudistykh zabolevanii golovnogo mozga.

Overall 1,104 persons exposed to industrial radiation were examined for the effect of minor doses of ionizing radiation on the development of the initial forms of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Use was made of an original method of five-factorial screening prediction of the development of CVD. As a result of the examination, 603 persons (54.6%) made up a group at greater risk for cerebrovascular insufficiency. Arterial hypertension was found to be the leading risk factor while the age 45-49 years turned out most dangerous from the standpoint of the onset of the diseases under consideration. No relationship was established between the total dose of external radiation and the risk of the development of cerebrovascular disorders. 96 persons at greater risk for CVD were subjected to a thorough clinical and instrumental examination. Of these, 79.2% appeared to have initial manifestations of brain circulatory insufficiency and stage I dyscirculatory encephalopathy.