To evaluate the association between duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and short-term treatment outcomes in hospitalized patients with first-episode schizophrenia.
Key Findings:
Patients with short DUP showed greater BPRS improvement than those with long DUP (mean difference 7.23 points before matching).
After matching, the improvement in the short DUP group was even larger (mean difference 11.50 points).
Long DUP was associated with less symptom improvement (posterior median β = -3.93).
Higher baseline BPRS scores were linked to greater improvement (posterior median β = 0.66).
The adverse impact of long DUP was more pronounced in patients with higher baseline symptom severity.
Interpretation:
Shorter DUP is associated with greater symptom improvement in first-episode schizophrenia, reinforcing the need for early detection and intervention.
Limitations:
Observational nature of the study may introduce residual confounding.
Findings may not be generalizable beyond the Asian context due to cultural and systemic differences.
Conclusion:
The study supports the role of DUP as a prognostic indicator, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in first-episode schizophrenia.
