20-Year Follow-up Study on Early Treatment and Relapse Effects in First Episode Psychosis

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates long-term clinical, cognitive, and functional outcomes in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders, focusing on the effects of early treatment choices and relapse patterns over 20 years. It aims to understand how early medication decisions and episodes of relapse influence these outcomes, and to explore factors leading to medication discontinuation and poor prognosis after first-episode psychosis. The study involves a one-time face-to-face assessment of participants originally enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing antipsychotic maintenance versus discontinuation. Participants will undergo structured clinical interviews, cognitive testing, and psychosocial evaluations. Retrospective data from medical records on relapses, medication use, hospitalizations, and laboratory results will also be collected to analyze long-term trajectories and subgroup differences. Participants contribute by attending a single interview guided by a research assistant, answering questions about their background, symptoms, functioning, cognition, and psychological health. Researchers will measure long-term clinical outcomes, cognitive abilities, symptom severity, medication adherence, and quality of life. Data confidentiality and ethical standards are maintained throughout the study, which spans up to 20 years from original enrollment.

A 20-Year Follow-up of First Episode Psychosis: Longitudinal Effects of Early Treatment Strategies and Relapse