Laoise Renwick

Depression and quality of life in first-episode psychosis

AIM Quality of life (QOL) has gained recognition as a valid measure of outcome in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to determine the influence of specific groups of depressive symptoms on separate domains of subjectively appraised QOL. METHODS We assessed 208 individuals with first-episode non-affective psychosis using measures of diagnosis (Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), symptoms (Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia), functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning), insight (Birchwood Scale), duration of untreated psychosis (Beiser Scale), and QOL World Health Organisation Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-Bref). We used multiple regression to determine the contribution of depressive symptoms to QOL domains while controlling for socio-demographic and other clinical characteristics. RESULTS There were complete data for 146 individuals with FEP. Quality-of-life domains were consistently predicted by depressive symptoms including depressive mood and hopelessness rather than biological symptoms of depression with those experiencing more depressive symptoms reporting worse QOL. Those who were treated as in-patients reported improved QOL, and hospitalization was an independent predictor of most QOL domains. In-patients displayed greater levels of positive symptoms with those involuntarily detained displaying greater levels of bizarre behavior, thought disorder, and delusions. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that QOL is heavily influenced by depressive symptoms at initial presentation; however, as QOL domains are also influenced by admission status with in-patients being more symptomatic in terms of positive symptoms, subjective QOL assessment may be compromised during the acute phase of illness by both positive and depressive symptom severity.

Suicidality prior to presentation in first-episode psychosis

Introduction: Suicide and attempted suicide contribute significantly to the increased mortality and morbidity associated with psychotic illness. The period of highest risk is reportedly in the early years of illness. While the literature concentrates on completed suicide in chronic psychosis, less is understood about attempted suicide in first‐episode psychosis (FEP).

Caregiver psychoeducation for first-episode psychosis

INTRODUCTION International best-practice guidelines for the management of first-episode psychosis have recommended the provision of psychoeducation for multifamily groups. While there is ample evidence of their efficacy in multiepisode psychosis, there is a paucity of evidence supporting this approach specifically for first-episode psychosis. We sought to determine whether a six-week caregiver psychoeducation programme geared specifically at first-episode psychosis improves caregiver knowledge and attitudes. METHODS Caregivers of people with first-episode psychosis completed a 23-item adapted version of the self-report Family Questionnaire (KQ) and a 17-item adapted version of the self-report Drug Attitudes Inventory (DAI) before and after the six-week DETECT Information and Support Course (DISC). Using a Generalised Linear Repeated Measures Model, we analyzed the differences in proportions of correct answers before and after the programme. RESULTS Over a 24-month study period, 31 caregivers (13 higher socioeconomic; 13 lower socioeconomic; five unspecified socioeconomic; 19 female; 12 male) participated in the DISC programme and completed inventories before and after the course. Knowledge of psychosis and specific knowledge of medication treatment improved among caregivers overall (p<.01; effect sizes 0.78 and 0.94 respectively). There were no significant gender or socioeconomic differences in any improvement. DISCUSSION This study confirms that caregiver psychoeducation specifically for first-episode psychosis directly improves knowledge of the illness overall and, in particular, knowledge of medication. Gender is not a factor in this, while the lack of any socioeconomic differences dispels the myth that patients in lower socioeconomic groups are disadvantaged because their caregivers know less.

Mental health literacy among Internet users

Background: Intervening early in the course of psychotic illness may improve the long‐term outcome. Early intervention requires early recognition, and one factor that influences early recognition is the level of mental health literacy (MHL) in the population.

Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms structure in first episode psychosis

Previous studies in schizophrenia samples suggest negative symptoms can be categorized as expressivity or experiential. This study examines the structure of the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) at two separate interviews in a first episode psychosis (FEP) sample. SANS structure was determined with principal components analysis in a schizophrenia spectrum (SSD, N=191) and non-schizophrenia spectrum (NSSD, N=246) sample at first presentation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted in the entire FEP sample (N=197) at a follow-up assessment. A three factor model solution was extracted in both SSD and NSSD at first presentation. The three components, consisting of expressivity, experiential and alogia/inattention components, explained 26.1%, 16.6% and 13.6% of the variance respectively in SSD. In NSSD the same three components explained 24.2%, 17.9% and 13.1% of the variance respectively. CFA at follow-up showed similar model fit for both the original SANS five factor and for a three factor model solution. The results indicate that either a three or five factor SANS model solution may be appropriate in a psychosis sample inclusive of both SSD and NSSD. The findings also provide initial support for expressivity and experiential domain research in NSSD.

A descriptive study of ‘non-cases’ and referral rates to an early intervention for psychosis service

Aim: Despite there being approximately 200 early intervention services for psychosis worldwide, little is known about the referral rates to these services, the diagnoses and needs of individuals found not to have a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Firstly, we aimed to describe the diagnoses for individuals who were found not to have a FEP (non‐cases) following an assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (SCID). We then aimed to examine the referral rates of cases and non‐cases to an early intervention service.

Early intervention service for psychosis: views from primary care.

Aim: Although General Practitioners (GPs) have a pivotal role in early detection and treatment of psychosis, there is sparse information on their views of early intervention (EI) services and how information related to EI should be delivered.

Neighbourhood characteristics and the incidence of first-episode psychosis and duration of untreated psychosis

BACKGROUND The incidence of psychotic disorders varies between geographical areas and it has been hypothesized that neighbourhood-level factors may influence this variation. It is also plausible that the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with neighbourhood characteristics. The aims of this study were to determine whether the incidence of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and the DUP are associated with the level of social deprivation, fragmentation, social capital and population density. METHOD All individuals with a FEP from a geographical defined catchment area over a 5-year period were included. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for each neighbourhood factor. RESULTS A total of 292 cases of FEP were included in the study and 45% had a diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. The age standardized incidence rate of FEP in the most deprived area was 72.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 26.4-162.7] per 100 000 person-years compared with 21.5 (95% CI 17.6-26.0) per 100 000 person-years in the most affluent areas. This represents a 3.4-fold increase in FEP incidence in the most deprived areas. The incidence of FEP was also increased in neighbourhoods that were more socially fragmented [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.40, 95% CI 1.05-5.51, p = 0.04] and there was a trend for the incidence to be increased in neighbourhoods with lower social capital (IRR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.99-2.06, p = 0.05). The median DUP was 4 months and was higher in more socially fragmented neighbourhoods. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of psychotic disorders is related to neighbourhood factors and it may be useful to consider neighbourhood factors when allocating resources for early intervention services.

Do psychosis prodrome onset negative symptoms predict first presentation negative symptoms

BACKGROUND Negative symptoms have been previously reported during the psychosis prodrome, however our understanding of their relationship with treatment-phase negative symptoms remains unclear. OBJECTIVES We report the prevalence of psychosis prodrome onset negative symptoms (PONS) and ascertain whether these predict negative symptoms at first presentation for treatment. METHODS Presence of expressivity or experiential negative symptom domains was established at first presentation for treatment using the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) in 373 individuals with a first episode psychosis. PONS were established using the Beiser Scale. The relationship between PONS and negative symptoms at first presentation was ascertained and regression analyses determined the relationship independent of confounding. RESULTS PONS prevalence was 50.3% in the schizophrenia spectrum group (n=155) and 31.2% in the non-schizophrenia spectrum group (n=218). In the schizophrenia spectrum group, PONS had a significant unadjusted (χ(2)=10.41, P<0.001) and adjusted (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.11-5.22, P=0.027) association with first presentation experiential symptoms, however this relationship was not evident in the non-schizophrenia spectrum group. PONS did not predict expressivity symptoms in either diagnostic group. CONCLUSION PONS are common in schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses, and predict experiential symptoms at first presentation. Further prospective research is needed to examine whether negative symptoms commence during the psychosis prodrome.

Language disturbance and functioning in first episode psychosis

Language disturbance has a central role in the presentation of psychotic disorders however its relationship with functioning requires further clarification, particularly in first episode psychosis (FEP). Both language disturbance and functioning can be evaluated with clinician-rated and performance-based measures. We aimed to investigate the concurrent association between clinician-rated and performance-based measures of language disturbance and functioning in FEP. We assessed 108 individuals presenting to an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service in Ireland. Formal thought disorder (FTD) dimensions and bizarre idiosyncratic thinking (BIT) were rated with structured assessment tools. Functioning was evaluated with a performance-based instrument, a clinician-rated measure and indicators of real-world functioning. The disorganisation dimension of FTD was significantly associated with clinician-rated measures of occupational and social functioning (Beta=-0.19, P<0.05 and Beta=-0.31, P<0.01, respectively). BIT was significantly associated with the performance-based measure of functioning (Beta=-0.22, P<0.05). Language disturbance was of less value in predicting real-world measures of functioning. Clinician-rated and performance-based assessments of language disturbance are complementary and each has differential associations with functioning. Communication disorders should be considered as a potential target for intervention in FEP, although further evaluation of the longitudinal relationship between language disturbance and functioning should be undertaken.