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The “Parma—Early Psychosis” program: General description and process analysis after 5 years of clinical activity
Author(s) -
Leuci Emanuela,
Quattrone Emanuela,
Pellegrini Pietro,
Pelizza Lorenzo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12897
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychosis , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , intervention (counseling) , mental health , early psychosis , at risk mental state , prodrome , psychology , comorbidity , clinical psychology , medicine
Aim From January 2013, the Parma Department of Mental Health developed a specific protocol of care (the “Parma—Early Psychosis” [Pr‐EP] program) as a diffused service for early intervention in psychosis. The a ims of the present research are (a) to describe the Pr‐EP macroscopic organization and (b) to analyse specific process indicators across the first 5 years from its establishment. Methods All participants were adolescent and adult help‐seekers, aged 12‐54 years, with a First Episode Psychosis (FEP) or at Ultra‐High Risk for developing psychosis, according to well‐defined diagnostic criteria. Results At baseline, 358 individuals were offered a dedicated protocol of care and only 40 (11.8%) dropped out during the first year of intervention. In particular, an increase of referrals over time was notably found (especially in adolescence). Furthermore, Duration of Untreated Psychosis decreased over time. The baseline prevalence of FEP diagnosis was 61.4%, with schizophrenia as markedly prevalent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, IV edition, Text Revised (DSM‐IV‐TR) diagnosis (41%). The vast majority of UHR individuals met criteria for “Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms” (>90%), and major depressive disorder was the most frequent diagnosis (>55%). Finally, we found considerable percentages of current history of substance abuse (>58%) and of comorbidity with DSM‐IV‐TR personality disorders (60%). Conclusions An “Early Intervention in psychosis” service in Italian child/adolescent and adult mental health services is feasible, also in adolescents, who have a high risk of falling through the child‐adult service gap.