Early detection of the first episode of schizophrenia and suicidal behavior

TY - JOUR

T1 - Early detection of the first episode of schizophrenia and suicidal behavior

AU - Melle, Ingrid

AU - Johannesen, Jan Olav

AU - Friis, Svein

AU - Haahr, Ulrik

AU - Joa, Inge

AU - Larsen, Tor K.

AU - Opjordsmoen, Stein

AU - Rund, Bjørn R.

AU - Simonsen, Erik

AU - Vaglum, Per

AU - McGlashan, Thomas

PY - 2006/1/1

Y1 - 2006/1/1

N2 - Objective: The suicide rate in schizophrenia is high, with the risk being highest early in the course. The rate of suicide attempts before treatment onset is also high and is often the event leading up to first treatment contact. A previous report showed that the duration of untreated psychosis can be reduced through an early detection program, and that the reduction was associated with lower symptom levels at treatment initiation. Treatment programs that bring first-episode patients into treatment at lower symptom levels can have the potential to reduce risk for suicide attempts. Method: The authors examined consecutive patients with nonorganic, nonaffective psychosis who sought initial treatment at psychiatric treatment units in four catchment areas: two that had an early detection program and two that did not. Results: The rate of severe suicidality (plans or attempts) was significantly higher in subjects from communities without the early detection program relative to those from early detection communities, even after adjustments for known predictors of suicidality. Conclusion: Early detection programs that bring patients into treatment at lower symptom levels may reduce suicidality risk at first treatment contact.

AB - Objective: The suicide rate in schizophrenia is high, with the risk being highest early in the course. The rate of suicide attempts before treatment onset is also high and is often the event leading up to first treatment contact. A previous report showed that the duration of untreated psychosis can be reduced through an early detection program, and that the reduction was associated with lower symptom levels at treatment initiation. Treatment programs that bring first-episode patients into treatment at lower symptom levels can have the potential to reduce risk for suicide attempts. Method: The authors examined consecutive patients with nonorganic, nonaffective psychosis who sought initial treatment at psychiatric treatment units in four catchment areas: two that had an early detection program and two that did not. Results: The rate of severe suicidality (plans or attempts) was significantly higher in subjects from communities without the early detection program relative to those from early detection communities, even after adjustments for known predictors of suicidality. Conclusion: Early detection programs that bring patients into treatment at lower symptom levels may reduce suicidality risk at first treatment contact.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047699673&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.5.800

DO - 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.5.800

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85047699673

SN - 0002-953X

VL - 163

SP - 800

EP - 804

JO - American Journal of Psychiatry

JF - American Journal of Psychiatry

IS - 5

ER -