Longitudinal relapse pattern of patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and its predictors and outcomes: A 10-year follow-up study

Objective: This study explored the 10-year pattern of relapse of patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (FES), predictors and outcomes of early and late relapse. Methods: Patients received EIS (N = 148) in Hong Kong between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002 were matched with those who entered standard care (N = 148) one year before. Relapse information over 10 years were obtained and 209 patients were interviewed at 10-year follow-up. Predictors of early relapse ([ER] relapse in initial three years) and late relapse group ([LR] relapse in year 4-10) and their differential outcomes were explored. Results: Fifty-six patients (26.8%) were relapse-free over 10 years with more EIS patients. Among the relapsed patients, 63.6% were ER patients who had the poorest longitudinal outcomes, including higher suicide attempts, violence episodes, more hospitalization and lower employment, whereas the LR patients do not differ much from the no relapse group. Relapse-free patients required less hospitalization in the first episode and lower antipsychotic dosage. The LR patients had less positive symptoms in year one but longer first-episode hospitalization and higher antipsychotic dosage. Conclusions: Delaying the first relapse may help to improve the long-term outcomes. Good response to antipsychotic medications was associated with relapse-free over long-term. However, sufficient antipsychotic medications with good symptomatic control during the early stage of the illness is crucial for relapse prevention for other patients. These findings highlight illness heterogeneity and the importance in differential use of antipsychotics in relapse prevention.