Longitudinal trajectories in negative symptoms and changes in brain cortical thickness: 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the evolution of negative symptoms in first-episode psychosis (FEP) requires long-term longitudinal study designs that capture the progression of this condition and the associated brain changes. AIMS: To explore the factors underlying negative symptoms and their association with long-term abnormal brain trajectories. METHOD: We followed up 357 people with FEP over a 10-year period. Factor analyses were conducted to explore negative symptom dimensionality. Latent growth mixture modelling (LGMM) was used to identify the latent classes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to investigate developmental trajectories of cortical thickness. Finally, the resulting ANOVA maps were correlated with a wide set of regional molecular profiles derived from public databases. RESULTS: Three trajectories (stable, decreasing and increasing) were found in each of the three factors (expressivity, experiential and attention) identified by the factor analyses. Patients with an increasing trajectory in the expressivity factor showed cortical thinning in caudal middle frontal, pars triangularis, rostral middle frontal and superior frontal regions from the third to the tenth year after the onset of the psychotic disorder. The F-statistic map of cortical thickness expressivity differences was associated with a receptor density map derived from positron emission tomography data. CONCLUSIONS: Stable and decreasing were the most common trajectories. Additionally, cortical thickness abnormalities found at relatively late stages of FEP onset could be exploited as a biomarker of poor symptom outcome in the expressivity dimension. Finally, the brain areas with less density of receptors spatially overlap areas that discriminate the trajectories of the expressivity dimension.

Naturalistic study on the use of clozapine in the early phases of non-affective psychosis: A 10-year follow-up study in the PAFIP-10 cohort.

Clozapine is seldom prescribed in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients during early phases of the illness. We aimed to examine the pathway and patterns and the impact of clozapine use in patients with TRS who were followed up for 10 years after the first outbreak of the illness. Data were obtained retrospectively from an epidemiological cohort of first episode schizophrenia patients (n = 218) who had been treated in a specialized intervention program (PAFIP). Out of 218, 35 (16%) individuals were on clozapine at 10-year assessment, while 183 (84%) were taking other antipsychotics. Among those 183 psychosis subjects who were not on clozapine, 13 (7.1%) met criteria for TRS. In the clozapine group, ten (28.6%) met criteria for early-TR and twenty-five (71.4%) met criteria for late-TR. Before clozapine treatment was initiated, the median number of days under other antipsychotic treatment was 1551 days (IQR = 1715) and the median time that subjects remained on clozapine was 6.3 years (IC95%: 5.49-7.20). At 10 years, we found that those individuals taking clozapine had higher CGI total scores (F = 12.0, p = 0.001) and SANS total scores (F = 9.27, p = 0.003) than subjects taking other antipsychotics after correcting for baseline values. Interestingly, when performing these analyses at 10 years between subjects taking clozapine (n = 35) and subjects who despite meeting TRS criteria were not taking clozapine (n = 13), we found that subjects taking clozapine had significantly lower total scores on all clinical scales compared with subjects who met TRS criteria and were not taking clozapine (p values < 0.05). TRS patients who took the longest time to start clozapine (third tertile) showed significantly higher CGI scores at 10-year follow-up compared to those who initiated clozapine earlier (first tertile) (t = 2.60; p = 0.043). Our findings reinforce the need of a timely assessment of treatment-resistant criteria in early schizophrenia patients and highlight the long-term benefits of an early introduction of clozapine on those patients meeting treatment-resistant criteria.

Aripiprazole vs Risperidone Head-to-Head Effectiveness in First-Episode Non-Affective-Psychosis: A 3-Month Randomized, Flexible-Dose, Open-Label Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic choice for the acute phase of a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is of the utmost importance since it may influence long-term outcome. However, head-to-head comparisons between second-generation antipsychotics remain scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness in the short term of aripiprazole and risperidone after FEP outbreak. METHODS: From February 2011 to October 2018, a prospective, randomized, open-label study was undertaken. Two hundred-sixty-six first-episode drug-naïve patients were randomly assigned to aripiprazole (n = 136) or risperidone (n = 130) and followed-up for 12 weeks. The primary effectiveness measure was all-cause treatment discontinuation. In addition, an analysis based on intention-to-treat principle was conducted to assess clinical efficacy. RESULTS: The overall dropout rate at 12 weeks was small (6.39%). Effectiveness measures were similar between treatment arms as treatment discontinuation rates (χ 2 = 0,409; P = .522), and mean time to all-cause discontinuation (log rank χ 2 = -1.009; P = .316) showed no statistically significant differences. Despite no statistically significant differences between groups regarding clinical efficacy, aripiprazole required higher chlorpromazine equivalent dosage (χ 2 = 2.160; P = .032) and extended mean time (W = 8183.5; P = .008) to reach clinical response. Sex-related adverse events and rigidity were more frequent in the risperidone group, whereas sialorrhea was on the aripiprazole group. CONCLUSIONS: No differences regarding effectiveness were found between aripiprazole and risperidone for the short-phase treatment of FEP. Despite the importance of efficacy during this phase, differences in side effect profiles and patient's preferences are essential factors that may lead clinical decisions for these patients. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT02532491. Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antipsychotics in First Episode Psychosis Patients: 1-year Follow-up (PAFIP3_1Y).

Aripiprazole and Risperidone Present Comparable Long-Term Metabolic Profiles: Data From a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial in Drug-Naïve First-Episode Psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aripiprazole and risperidone are 2 of the most used second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) worldwide. Previous evidence shows a similar effect of these SGAs on weight and metabolic changes in the short term. However, a longer period is necessary for a better assessment of the SGA´s metabolic profile. We aimed to compare the long-term (1-year) metabolic profile of these 2 antipsychotics on a sample of drug-naïve first episode-psychosis (FEP) patients. METHODS: A total 188 drug-naïve patients, suffering from a first episode of non-affective psychosis (FEP), were randomly assigned to treatment with either aripiprazole or risperidone. Weight and glycemic/lipid parameters were recorded at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: We observed significant weight increments in both groups (9.2 kg for aripiprazole and 10.5 kg for risperidone) after 1 year of treatment. Despite this, weight and body mass index changes did not significantly differ between treatment groups (P > .05). Similarly, both treatment groups presented similar metabolic clinical impact with a comparable increase in the proportion of participants meeting criteria for metabolic disorders such as obesity or hypercholesterolemia, but not for metabolic syndrome (Δ9.2% vs Δ4.3%) or hypertriglyceridemia (Δ21.9% vs Δ8.0%), where aripiprazole showed worse outcomes than risperidone. CONCLUSION: This study shows that aripiprazole and risperidone share a similar long-term metabolic profile. After 1 year of antipsychotic treatment, drug-naïve FEP patients in both treatment groups presented a significant increase in weight and metabolic changes, leading to a greater prevalence of metabolic disorders.

Stability of schizophrenia diagnosis in a 10-year longitudinal study on first episode of non-affective psychosis: Conclusions from the PAFIP cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 10-year stability of schizophrenia diagnosis in a cohort of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and the factors associated with it. METHODS: Changes in diagnosis of 209 FEP patients were described during 10 years of follow-up. Related factors with maintenance or change of schizophrenia diagnosis were evaluated in prospective and retrospective approaches through binary logistic regressions, ROC and survival curves. RESULTS: Out of the 209 patients, 126 were diagnosed of schizophrenia 6 months after their inclusion in the clinical program. Prospective analyses showed that eight of those 126 schizophrenia patients had changed to a different diagnosis after 10 years, and predictors of change were better childhood premorbid adjustment, less severity of clinical global impression at baseline, and diagnosis of comorbid personality disorder during follow-up. Retrospectively, out of the 154 patients with schizophrenia in the 10-year assessment, 36 had a different diagnosis at baseline, and those factors related to a different prior diagnosis than schizophrenia were better socioeconomic status and shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). A survival analysis on the timing of schizophrenia diagnosis showed that male gender and longer DUP were predictors of earlier definite diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic stability of schizophrenia in our FEP sample is high, especially prospective stability, and the group of patients with diagnostic change corresponded to a milder psychopathological profile before and at the onset of disease. Moreover, we observed a cautious attitude in the diagnosis of schizophrenia in patients with shorter DUP who had schizophrenia diagnosis after 10 years.

Aripiprazole vs Risperidone for the acute-phase treatment of first-episode psychosis: A 6-week randomized, flexible-dose, open-label clinical trial.

Selecting the first antipsychotic agent for the acute phase of a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is a critical task that may impact on the long-term outcome. Despite that, there is a lack of research comparing head-to-head different second-generation antipsychotics at this stage. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of aripiprazole and risperidone in the treatment of the acute phase after a FEP. For that purpose, from February 2011 to October 2018, a prospective, randomized, open-label study was undertaken. Two hundred-sixty-six first-episode, drug-naïve patients were randomly assigned to aripiprazole (n = 136), or risperidone (n = 130) and followed-up for 6-weeks. The primary effectiveness measure was all-cause treatment discontinuation. In addition, an analysis based on intention-to-treat principle was conducted to assess clinical efficacy. The overall dropout rate at 6-week reached 19.5%. Effectiveness measures were similar between both treatment groups as treatment discontinuation rates (χ2 = 1.863; p = 0.172) and mean time until all-cause discontinuation (log rank = 1.421; p = 0.233) showed no statistically significant differences. In terms of clinical efficacy, risperidone proved a statistically significant better performance according to BPRS mean change between baseline and 6-week total score (t = 3.187; p = 0.002). Patients under risperidone treatment were significantly more likely to suffer sex-related adverse events. In conclusion, no differences regarding effectiveness were found between aripiprazole and risperidone for the acute-phase treatment of FEP. Despite the importance of efficacy during this phase of treatment, selecting the most effective treatment for the long-term outcome, requires addressing safety and patient´s preferences.

Dissecting the functional outcomes of first episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a 10-year follow-up study in the PAFIP cohort.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to examine the heterogeneity of functional outcomes in first episode psychosis (FEP) patients and related clinical, neurocognitive and sociodemographic factors using a cluster analytic approach. METHOD: A large sample of FEP patients (N = 209) was functionally reassessed 10 years after the first contact with an early intervention service. Multiple baseline, 3-year and 10-year follow-up variables were explored. RESULTS: The cluster analysis emphasized the existence of six independent clusters of functioning: one cluster was normal overall (42.16%), two clusters showed moderate interpersonal (9.63%) or instrumental (12.65%) deficits, two clusters showed more severe interpersonal (12.05%) or interpersonal and instrumental (13.85%) deficits and there was a significantly overall impaired cluster (9.63%). Cluster comparisons showed that several baseline and follow-up factors were differentially involved in functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that distinct clusters of functioning in FEP patients can be identified. The fact that a variety of profiles was observed contributes to a better understanding of the nature of the heterogeneity characterizing FEP patients and has clinical implications for developing individualized treatment plans.

A network analysis approach to functioning problems in first psychotic episodes and their relationship with duration of untreated illness: Findings from the PAFIP cohort.

BACKGROUND: The domains of functioning affected by first episode of psychosis (FEP) could be analysed as forming a network of interacting or even reinforcing elements. The reasons why longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) might be related to higher disability are not still clear. The aim of the present study is to evaluate how different areas of functioning are inter-related according to the length of DUP in patients with FEP, with a particular focus on studying the relative influence of each other according to lengthy delays in initial treatment. METHOD: 441 participants in an epidemiological and intervention program of first episode psychosis (PAFIP) were included in our study. Functioning problems at baseline were assessed with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS). Three networks of functioning domains have been estimated according to the length of DUP. RESULTS: All the DAS items took part in the different networks. We have not found differences across the edge weights in the short, medium and long DUP groups. The domains "social withdrawal", "participation in the household activities", "general interest and information", and "low level of activity" seem to act as bridge items with other areas of functioning in people with longer DUP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results could have clinical implications for patients with longer DUP, in which case, social withdrawal, household activities, level of activity and general interest in the world around them, could be high-priority target areas of treatment, since they seem to be mediating the relation between others areas of functioning.

A 3-year prospective study on the metabolic effect of aripiprazole, quetiapine and ziprasidone: A pragmatic clinical trial in first episode psychosis patients.

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder with an excess morbidity and mortality partly due to a higher incidence of metabolic disturbances and cardio-vascular events. The exposure to antipsychotic treatment has been observed linked to these metabolic abnormalities. This study explores the metabolic effects of aripiprazol, quetiapine and ziprasidone in drug-naïve patients with a first-episode of psychosis, at long-term. Two-hundred and two patients with first-episode of psychosis were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive quetiapine, ziprasidone, or aripiprazole. Clinical, sociodemographic and anthropometric measures, as well as lipid and glyceamic parameters, were recorded at baseline and after three years of initiating antipsychotic treatment. Body weight and BMI increased significantly after 3 years of follow-up (F = 35.0, p<0.001; and F = 37.6, p<0.001, respectively). Most of the increase in weight occurred within the first year of treatment. The proportion of patients meeting criteria for obesity (5.6% vs 25.7%; p<0.001), hypercholesterolemia (23.2% vs 41.7%; p<0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (5.8% vs 23.0%; p<0.001) increased significantly. Head-to-head comparisons between antipsychotic groups revealed that the ziprasidone group presented significantly smaller increments in weight (p = 0.034) and BMI (p = 0.020) than aripiprazole group. After 3 years of having presented a first episode of psychosis, patients show significant increments in body weight and BMI, as well as in lipid and glycaemic parameters leading to clinical metabolic disturbances. In this context, the first year is the critical period for weight gain and development of metabolic changes. In this study, ziprasidone produced smaller weight gain than aripiprazole.

Expression and Functionality Study of 9 Toll-Like Receptors in 33 Drug-Naïve Non-Affective First Episode Psychosis Individuals: A 3-Month Study.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a pivotal component of the innate immune system that seem to have a role in the pathogenesis of psychosis. The purpose of this work was to compare the expression and functionality of 9 TLRs in three peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (monocytes, B cells, and T cells) between 33 drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) individuals and 26 healthy volunteers, at baseline and after 3-month of antipsychotic treatment. The expression of TLRs 1-9 were assessed by flow cytometry. For the assessment of the TLR functionality, cells collected in sodium heparin tubes were polyclonally stimulated for 18 h, with different agonists for human TLR1-9. The results of our study highlight the role that TLR5 and TLR8 might play in the pathophysiology of psychosis. We found a lower expression of these receptors in FEP individuals, regarding healthy volunteers at baseline and after 3-month of treatment on the three PBMCs subsets. Most TLRs showed a lower functionality (especially reduced intracellular levels of TNF-α) in patients than in healthy volunteers. These results, together with previous evidence, suggest that individuals with psychosis might show a pattern of TLR expression that differs from that of healthy volunteers, which could vary according to the intensity of immune/inflammatory response.

Cost of Relapse Management in Patients with Schizophrenia in Italy and Spain: Comparison Between Lurasidone and Quetiapine XR.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is a low-prevalence mental disorder with a global age-standardized prevalence of 21 million people (2016). Second-generation antipsychotics (lurasidone and quetiapine XR) are recommended as the first-line treatment for schizophrenia. It is interesting to investigate how the results of clinical studies translate into direct medical costs. The objective of this analysis was to assess the direct medical costs related to pharmaceutical treatments and the management of relapses in patients affected with schizophrenia treated with lurasidone (74 mg) vs quetiapine XR (300 mg) assuming the Italian and Spanish National Health Service perspective. METHODS: A health economic model was developed based on a previously published model. The analysis considered direct medical costs related to the pharmacological therapies and inpatient or outpatient management of relapses (direct medical costs referred to 2019). The probability of relapses and related costs were derived from two systematic reviews. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was implemented to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS: The use of lurasidone (74 mg) compared with quetiapine XR (300 mg) would lead to a reduction in direct medical costs in Italy and Spain, with a lower cost per patient of - 163.7 € (- 9.0%) and - 327.2 € (- 22.7%), respectively. In detail, it would lead to an increase in the cost of therapy of + 53.8% and of + 30.5% in Italy and Spain, respectively, to a decrease in the cost of relapses with hospitalization of - 135.7%, and to an increase in the cost of relapses without hospitalization of + 24.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of lurasidone (74 mg) for the treatment of patients affected with schizophrenia, compared with quetiapine XR (300 mg), would be a cost-saving strategy in the two contexts investigated assuming the National Health Service point of view.

Understanding the direct and indirect costs of a first episode of psychosis program: Insights from PAFIP of Cantabria, Spain, during the first year of intervention.

AIM: Early intervention psychiatric services for patients with psychosis aim to limit the most damaging outcomes and reduce the patient's risk of social drift, decreasing illness severity and thus containing healthcare costs. There is a scarcity of studies that focus on first-episode psychosis (FEP), and those few that have been published only looked at direct health costs, but not at indirect costs, which make up the bulk of the budget. Our study aims to explore the short-term (1-year follow-up) economic cost of a FEP Program, including both direct and indirect costs. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from the clinical records of 157 patients included in the Programa Atención Fases Iniciales de Psicosis, from Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander. Our data collection sheet collated data from direct and indirect costs associated with the illness. Data were also extracted from the Cantabria Health Service Records. STATA 15.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: On average, the total costs during the first year were €48 353.51 per patient, with direct healthcare costs being €13 729.47 (28.39%), direct non-medical costs €108.6 (0.22%), and indirect costs €34 515.44 (71.39%). We found that hospitalization costs were higher in males (p = 0.081) and in cannabis users (p = 0.032). The number of relapses increased both, hospitalization and treatment costs (r = 0.40 p = 0.000; r = 0.24 p = 0.067, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Intensive Early Intervention in Psychosis Services may result in cost savings by decreasing hospitalization, premature mortality, disability, unemployment, and legal problems; however, the first year after diagnosis would represent the one with the highest costs.

Consenso español sobre los riesgos y detección de la hiperprolactinemia iatrogénica por antipsicóticos / Spanish consensus on the risks and detection of antipsychotic drug-related hyperprolactinaemia

Introducción. La hiperprolactinemia iatrogénica (HPRLi) se ha descrito con más frecuencia con algunos antipsicóticos, dependiendo de su capacidad de bloqueo de los receptores de dopamina D2. Existe gran heterogeneidad de la práctica clínica y posiblemente falta de concienciación sobre este problema entre los médicos. Dada la elevada frecuencia con la que los pacientes con enfermedad mental grave reciben antipsicóticos de forma prolongada, se precisa vigilar posibles riesgos en su salud física. La HPRLi y sus síntomas pueden pasar desapercibidos si no se investigan rutinariamente. Metodología. Se realiza una revisión profunda de la literatura para elaborar un consenso multidisciplinario con psiquiatras junto a otros especialistas (de Endocrinología, Medicina Interna y Oncología) con el fin de consensuar los riesgos clínicos y los métodos de detección más adecuados de la HPRLi de acuerdo con los distintos niveles de evidencia científica (I-IV). Resultados. Los síntomas a corto plazo incluyen amenorrea, galactorrea y disfunción sexual (descenso del deseo y disfunción eréctil por hipogonadismo secundario). A medio-largo plazo y relacionado con la disminución de estrógenos, se pueden inducir baja masa ósea (osteopenia y osteoporosis), hipogonadismo, menopausia precoz, incremento del riesgo de algunos tipos de cáncer (mama y endometrio), aumento del riesgo cardiovascular, alteraciones en la inmunidad, dislipidemia y disfunción cognitiva, entre otros. La petición de niveles de PRL debería realizarse al inicio del tratamiento en todos los pacientes que reciben antipsicóticos, aunque no se observen síntomas precoces (amenorrea, galactorrea) por el riesgo de subestimar otros síntomas que pueden aparecen a medio plazo. Se aconseja determinar también niveles de FSL, LH, testosterona y vitamina D. Se recomienda explorar rutinariamente la función sexual, ya que puede ser un síntoma mal tolerado que podría conducir al abandono del tratamiento. Se propone un especial cuidado en niños y adolescentes, así como en pacientes con PRL > 50 ng/ml (intensidad moderada), revisando periódicamente si existe hipogonadismo o disfunción sexual. En los pacientes con PRL > 150 ng/ml debe descartarse siempre un prolactinoma radiológicamente y se debe prestar especial atención a posibles antecedentes de cáncer de mama o endometrio. Se aconseja realizar densitometrías en varones >50 años y en mujeres con amenorrea > 6 meses o menopausia precoz para detectar osteoporosis y evitar riesgo de fracturas por fragilidad (AU)

Introduction. Iatrogenic hyperprolactinaemia (IHPRL) has been more frequently related to some antipsychotic drugs that provoke an intense blockade of dopamine D2 receptors. There is a wide variation in clinical practice, and perhaps some more awareness between clinicians is needed. Due to the high frequency of chronic treatment in severe mental patients, careful attention is recommended on the physical risk. IHPRL symptoms could be underestimated without routine examination. Methodology. An intense scientific literature search was performed in order to draw up a multidisciplinary consensus, including different specialists of psychiatry, endocrinology, oncology and internal medicine, and looking for a consensus about clinical risk and detection of IHPRL following evidence-based medicine criteria levels (EBM I- IV). Results. Short-term symptoms include amenorrhea, galactorrhoea, and sexual dysfunction with decrease of libido and erectile difficulties related to hypogonadism. Medium and long-term symptoms related to oestrogens are observed, including a decrease bone mass density, hypogonadism, early menopause, some types of cancer risk increase (breast and endometrial), cardiovascular risk increase, immune system disorders, lipids, and cognitive dysfunction. Prolactin level, gonadal hormones and vitamin D should be checked in all patients receiving antipsychotics at baseline although early symptoms (amenorrhea-galactorrhoea) may not be observed due to the risk of underestimating other delayed symptoms that may appear in the medium term. Routine examination of sexual dysfunction is recommended due to possible poor patient tolerance and low compliance. Special care is required in children and adolescents, as well as patients with PRL levels >50 ng/ml (moderate hyperprolactinaemia). A possible prolactinoma should be investigated in patients with PRL levels >150 ng/ml, with special attention to patients with breast/endometrial cancer history. Densitometry should be prescribed for males >50 years old, amenorrhea > 6 months, or early menopause to avoid fracture risk (AU)

Current Data on and Clinical Insights into the Treatment of First Episode Nonaffective Psychosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Implementing the most suitable treatment strategies and making appropriate clinical decisions about individuals with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is a complex and crucial task, with relevant impact in illness outcome. Treatment approaches in the early stages should go beyond choosing the right antipsychotic drug and should also address tractable factors influencing the risk of relapse. Effectiveness and likely metabolic and endocrine disturbances differ among second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and should guide the choice of the first-line treatment. Clinicians should be aware of the high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia patients, and therefore monitoring weight and metabolic changes across time is mandatory. Behavioral and counseling interventions might be partly effective in reducing weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Ziprasidone and aripiprazole have been described to be least commonly associated with weight gain or metabolic changes. In addition, some of the SGAs (risperidone, amisulpride, and paliperidone) have been associated with a significant increase of plasma prolactin levels. Overall, in cases of FEP, there should be a clear recommendation of using lower doses of the antipsychotic medication. If no or minimal clinical improvement is found after 2 weeks of treatment, such patients may benefit from a change or augmentation of treatment. Clinicians should provide accurate information to patients and relatives about the high risk of relapse if antipsychotics are discontinued, even if patients have been symptom free and functionally recovered on antipsychotic treatment for a lengthy period of time.

Clinical outcome after antipsychotic treatment discontinuation in functionally recovered first-episode nonaffective psychosis individuals: a 3-year naturalistic follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The timing of antipsychotic discontinuation in patients who have fully recovered from their initial episode of psychosis is still open to discussion. We aimed to evaluate the risk of symptom recurrence during the 3 years after antipsychotic discontinuation in a sample of functionally recovered first-episode nonaffective psychosis (FEP) patients (DSM-IV criteria) with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. METHOD: Participants in this open-label, nonrandomized, prospective study were drawn from an ongoing longitudinal intervention program of FEP from a university hospital setting in Spain. From July 2004 to February 2011, functionally recovered FEP individuals were eligible if they met the inclusion criteria of (1) a minimum of 18 months on antipsychotic treatment, (2) clinical remission for at least 12 months, (3) functional recovery for at least 6 months, and (4) stabilization at the lowest effective doses for at least 3 months. Forty-six individuals who were willing to discontinue medication were included in the discontinuation group (target group). Twenty-two individuals opted to stay on the prescribed antipsychotic medication and therefore were included in the maintenance group (control group). Primary outcome measures were relapse rate at 18 and 36 months and time to relapse. RESULTS: The rates of relapse over the 3-year period were 67.4% (31 of 46) in the discontinuation group and 31.8% (7 of 22) in the maintenance group. The mean time to relapse was 209 (median = 122) days and 608 (median = 607) days, respectively (log rank = 10.106, P = .001). The resumption of antipsychotic medication after the relapse occurred was associated with clinical stability and lack of further relapses. When the overall group of relapsed individuals from the 2 conditions (N = 38) was compared to those who remained asymptomatic after 3 years (N = 30), there were significant differences (P < .05) in total scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, the Clinical Global Impressions scale, and the Disability Assessment Schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic treatment discontinuation in individuals who had accomplished a functional recovery after a single psychotic episode was associated with a high risk of symptom recurrence. Relapsed individuals had a greater severity of symptoms and lower functional status after 3 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02220504.