First-episode psychosis Program in the Modena Mental Health Department: clinical remission
Poster A111, Thursday, October 20, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Fabrizio Starace1, Manuela Miselli1, Maria Ferrara1, Martino Belvederi Murri1; 1Department of Mental Health & Drug Abuse
Purpose. Offering early and comprehensive intervention to subjects with first-episode psychosis is paramount for clinical, social and vocational outcomes. However, the translation of such interventions in the real clinical world needs to be improved. We describe the outcomes of the Program for First Episode Psychosis (Emilia Romagna Region, Italy) as it was applied in eight Community Mental Health Centers of the pilot district of Modena. The program includes tailored pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and psychoeducative interventions, professional education and liaison with other health agencies. Its main aim is to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis and promote early recovery. Materials and Methods. We examined data of subjects treated between 2013-2015. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (ICD-9); not having received treatment for more than 24 months; age 15-35. Subjects with mental retardation or psychoses due to medical conditions were excluded. Participants were assessed with the 12-item HoNOS-MHCT every 6 months (range 0-48). Clinical remission was defined as a reduction of 50% or more in the total score (baseline to the last available assessment). Results: 49 subjects (78% males, 39% with substance abuse, 22% migrants) had at least two assessments. Baseline HONOS score was 18.2 ±5.9, while it decreased to 9.6 ±6.4 at follow-up (mean difference 8.6 ±7.3; p<0.001). Twenty-four subjects achieved clinical remission (49%). Conclusion. Results show a high rate of clinical remission among subjects entering the First Episode Program in Modena. Such encouraging results testify to the feasibility and effective translation of evidence-based principles in the real clinical world.
Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis