Naturalistic follow-up study of rehospitalization rates and assigned disability status of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis in South East Latvia: preliminary results

Abstract

Background

Patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis (FEP) are at risk of not visiting an out-patient psychiatrist and are assigned disability status within a short period after diagnosis.

Objective

The aim of this study was to conduct a naturalistic follow-up of FEP patients to explore their use of mental healthcare services and the rate of assigned disability status after FEP.

Methods

This was the first study in Latvia to include all consecutive patients with FEP admitted to the largest regional hospital in South East Latvia, Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital (DPNH). Patients received standard treatment in a real-world environment. The mean follow-up time was 33 months (Min = 20 months, Max = 40 months).

Results

From the 94 consecutive FEP patients admitted to DPNH (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017), 68 participated and provided informed consent to be followed up. During the first 12 months after discharge from the acute psychiatric ward, 23% (n = 14) never visited a psychiatrist, and 6.5% (n = 4) had a single visit to get prescription for medication. Furthermore, 36.1% (n = 22) had a rehospitalization during the first 12 months. At the end of follow-up period, 34.4% (n = 21) of patients were assigned disability status within a median time of 8 months (IQR 4.5‒20.0).

Conclusion

Approximately, one-third of patients did not continue treatment as out-patients after FEP. One-third of FEP patients were assigned disability status. We suggest that Latvia needs improved treatment options for FEP patients, such as early intervention.

Keywords:

• Psychosis
• disability
• out-patient care
• schizophrenia
• rehospitalization

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the administration and all psychiatrists at Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital for the opportunity to conduct research in a hospital environment. Thanks to the Latvian Psychiatric Association for professional support. All study authors want to express their appreciation to patients and their families for participating in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that this study was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

The study data will be shared with researchers who will provide a methodologically valid proposal. Proposals can be submitted up to 12 months following the publication of the main results to the corresponding author’s e-mail address.