Sudhakar, S (2008) A Study on the Short Term Outcome in Schizophrenia with Reference to Duration of Untreated Psychosis. Masters thesis, Madras Medical College, Chennai.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling disorder for most affected Individuals. Despite historical pessimism about prognosis, more recent studies Suggest that early intervention can improve outcome. Efforts at early Identification and treatment are based in part on the assumption that through an As- yet unknown process, illness duration causally influences treatment Responsivity and outcome. A large number of studies have examined the prognostic value of Premorbid, sociodemographic, and psycho- pathological factors on outcome in Schizophrenia.More recently, several groups of investigators have proposed That a long duration of untreated initial psychosis may also affect long- term Outcome in schizophrenia. Wyatt was the first to suggest that psychosis may be “biologically toxic” And that long-term morbidity in some patients with schizophrenia may be Prevented if patients are treated with neuroleptics Some investigators have found an association between longer duration Of untreated initial psychosis and poor outcome in schizophrenia and have Explained such an association with the “toxic psychosis” hypothesis. Understanding the causes and consequences of untreated psychosis is Important for at least two reasons. First, the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a potentially modifiable prognostic factor, and understanding its Relation to outcome could lead to improved therapeutic strategies and public Health initiatives. Second, a relationship of duration of untreated psychosis to Outcome may indicate a neurodegenerative process and so have important Implications for understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Alternatively, the length of initially untreated psychosis may be related To the severity of illness and thus may be a marker rather than a determinant of Outcome. However, despite the knowledge of such factors, the prediction of Outcome in schizophrenia has remained a challenging task and is generally Poor. One of the well established facts and consistent finding about outcome of Schizophrenia is that patients from developing countries including India have Better outcomes than those from the developed countries (Lieberman, 1996). Though there is no definitive evidence as to whether reduction of DUP Will alter the course of schizophrenia for better, this issue has considerable Public health importance. Given the low psychiatrist to population ratio and Difficulties in reaching a psychiatrist, it is unlikely that patients from Developing countries have shorter DUP than those from the developed Countries. There is a need to study the influence of duration of untreated psychosis On outcome of schizophrenia in the Indian context, hence this study.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Short – Term Outcome ; Schizophrenia ; Untreated Psychosis. |
| Subjects: | MEDICAL > Psychiatry |
| Depositing User: | Subramani R |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Aug 2017 03:26 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Aug 2017 03:26 |
| URI: | http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/id/eprint/2010 |
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