Implementation of an early detection team in first-episode schizophrenia: a Danish nationwide register-based study of the effect of the TOP project

Poster A72, Monday, October%208, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom

Lene Halling Hastrup1, Ulrik Helt Haahr1,2, Julie Nordgaard2,3, Erik Simonsen1,2; 1Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand, 2University of Copenhagen, 3Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Region Zealand

Aim The TOP-project was implemented in one of five Danish regions (Region Zealand) in 2012. The intervention was a combination of an early detection team (called TOP) and an information campaign targeting the public. The early detection team was the first and only in Denmark. The aim of the project was to make people with signs of psychosis to seek help as early as possible. This nation-wide study examined characteristics and help-seeking behavior of patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in the early detection region in comparison with other Danish regions. Methods We used data from the Danish National Schizophrenia register on all Danish patients diagnosed with FES during 2012 to 2015. We linked patient data to demographic and health care data drawn from official national registers. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the difference between the early detection region and other regions controlling for demographic characteristics and utilization of mental health care services and contacts to general practitioner (GP). Results Patients in the early detection region were younger (OR=0.51; CI:0.42-0.62;p<0.000) than in regions without early detection teams. They were further more likely to be of Danish origin, and less likely to have been in contact with mental health services and GPs prior to FES. Conclusion The study suggests that implementing an early detection team in combination with an information campaign contributed to detecting patients with first-episode schizophrenia earlier than in regions without the early detection team. In addition, the results indicate different care pathways among patients in the early detection region.

Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis

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