A post hoc analysis of a 7‑year follow‑up of a first‑episode psychosis cohort (n=103) from a dose‑reduction/discontinuation vs maintenance trial examined whether baseline negative symptoms predicted relapse and functional outcomes.³ After 7 years, baseline negative symptoms were demonstrated to be the highest predictor of relapse, as well as a predictor of functional outcome.³
References:
1. Bucci P, Mucci A, Winter van Rossum I, et al. Persistent negative symptoms in recent-onset psychosis: Relationship to treatment response and psychosocial functioning. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 34: 76–86.
2. Santesteban-Echarri O, Paino M, Rice S, et al. Predictors of functional recovery in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Clin Psychol Rev 2017; 58: 59–75.
3. Wunderink L, van Bebber J, Sytema S, et al. Negative symptoms predict high relapse rates and both predict less favorable functional outcome in first episode psychosis, independent of treatment strategy. Schizophr Res 2020; 216: 192–199.