Early intervention, social functioning and psychotic relapse of patients with recent-onset schizophrenic disorders

Social functioning and psychotic relapse were examined retrospectively in an early intervention programme in 133 young patients (mean +/- SD age 20.3 +/- 2.3 years) with recent-onset schizophrenia and related disorders. The programme included a combination of (1) pharmacotherapy; (2) psychoeducation of patients and parents; (3) individualized disease, medication and stress management; (4) support in finding structural activities; (5) establishment of parent groups; and (6) provision of continuity of care for both patients and parents. After 1 year of outpatient treatment, 89 patients (67%) who were inactive at admission had structured activities. However, 29 patients (21.8%) suffered a psychotic relapse of which 13.5% were severe and 8.3% mild. A severe relapse was, in most cases, followed by readmission. The length of time between the first contact with psychiatric services and admission to the treatment programme was associated with negative symptoms at the end of the treatment periods. Early psychosocial intervention combined with antipsychotic medication appears to improve social functioning and to reduce the relapse rate in recent-onset schizophrenia. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.