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Abstract
Background: High rates of remission are associated with effective treatments for first-episode psychosis (FEP). However, the goal of relapse prevention remains elusive for many remitted FEP patients.
Aims: This paper describes the clinical and functional status of remitted FEP patients at a specialist service, and outlines the rationale and methodology of a randomized controlled trial of a multimodal relapse prevention therapy for these patients.
Method: Eighty one remitted FEP patients and 63 of their family members attending the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU) or to a relapse prevention therapy (RPT). Baseline data included demographics, Axis I and II diagnoses, psychiatric symptoms, functional status, and family distress, burden, and communication styles.
Results: The findings indicated high rates of depressive and negative symptoms and substance abuse problems. Less than half of the patients had returned to employment. A high rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms was evident amongst family members, and burden was comparable to results from other FEP studies.
Conclusions: FEP patients who reach remission have wide-ranging clinical and psychosocial needs. Relapse risk remains high, and relapse prevention is a critical priority. Family members also need specific interventions.
Declaration of interest: This study described in this paper has been funded by an independent research grant from Eli Lilly via the Lilly Melbourne Academic Psychiatry Consortium.