FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED OUTCOMES IN THE FIRST PSYCHOTIC EPISODE
AT A SPECIALIZED OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL
Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate data from patients
admitted to the first-episode psychotic (FEP) outpatient clinic at the
Hospital of Clinics of the Federal University of Pernambuco from July
2018 to July 2021, seeking to identify factors related to better
clinical outcomes. Methods: This study was conducted using a convenience
sample, including all patients between 15 and 65 years of age who were
admitted to the FEP outpatient clinic from July 2018 to July 2021.
Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using mean and standard
deviation or median and interquartile range for continuous quantitative
variables, and absolute number/percentage for qualitative variables.
Paired T-test, a parametric test, was used to compare PANSS scores upon
admission and after 6 months. Spearman’s correlation test was employed
to assess the correlation between duration of untreated psychosis (DUP)
and treatment response with other variables. Results: The sample
consisted of 85.3% male individuals, with 50% of patients aged between
19-30 years, and 82% residing in the metropolitan area of Recife.
Seventy percent of patients responded to the treatment implemented by
the outpatient clinic, and only 30% required psychiatric
hospitalization within 6 months of follow-up. The majority of patients
had a history of psychoactive substance use (82.4%); however, the use
of these substances did not impact the prognosis within the analyzed
sample. The median DUP was 4 weeks, and a shorter DUP was associated
with a lower probability of psychiatric hospitalization and a greater
treatment response (reduction >50% in PANSS). Conclusion:
A shorter DUP was associated with a lower likelihood of psychiatric
hospitalization and a greater treatment response. Furthermore, the
specialized early psychosis outpatient clinic itself appears to yield
positive outcomes, as 70% of the treated patients exhibited a positive
treatment response.