Impact of COVID-19 on Untreated Psychosis Duration
Author Information
Author(s): Jessica Nicholls-Mindlin, Hadar Hazan, Bin Zhou, Fangyong Li, Maria Ferrara, Nina Levine, Sarah Riley, Sneha Karmani, Walter S. Mathis, Matcheri S. Keshavan, Vinod H. Srihari
Primary Institution: Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; and Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Hypothesis
COVID-19-related restrictions would be associated with an increase in duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).
Conclusion
The study found that COVID-19 restrictions were associated with a significant reduction in the duration of untreated psychosis during the pandemic.
Supporting Evidence
- Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) reduced from 208 days pre-pandemic to 56 days during the early pandemic.
- Time from psychosis onset to antipsychotic prescription decreased from 117 days to 35 days during the pandemic.
- Despite a reduction in DUP during the pandemic, it increased again in the late pandemic epoch.
Takeaway
When COVID-19 restrictions were in place, people with psychosis got help faster than before, which is good for their health.
Methodology
The study analyzed first-episode psychosis admissions to the STEP Clinic in Connecticut, comparing durations of untreated psychosis across different pandemic epochs.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to incomplete data on family involvement in help-seeking during the pandemic phases.
Limitations
The small sample size in the early pandemic group increases the likelihood of chance findings, and the results may not generalize to rural areas.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 16–35 years, with a racially and ethnically diverse background.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0015
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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