Objectives:This study examined prodromal symptoms, duration of untreated illness (DUI), duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), causes of delayed treatment, and pathway before treatment in the patients with first episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder in Korea and China. The results from two countries were compared.
Methods:Subjects were the first onset patients who met the diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder by DSM-IV. Prodromal symptoms were checked using Royal Park Multidiagnostic Instrument for Psychosis (RPIMP) and DUI, DUP, causes of delayed treatment and pathway before treatment were evaluated when the patients were stabilized enough to be cooperative.
Results:Most of the patients were found to have prodromal symptoms；80 and 75% of Korean and Chinese subjects, respectively. Common prodromal symptoms were mainly negative symptoms such as social isolation, impairment on role function, etc. in both countries. DUP was 30.90±36.46 and 25.33±40.28 weeks in Korean and Chinese subjects and DUI was 71.50.30±54.68 and 64.75±100.29 weeks in Korean and Chinese subjects, respectively. There were no significant differences of DUI and DUP between Korean and Chinese subjects. Mean number of contacts was very few in both countries compared to other results.
Conclusion:Majority of the patients in both countries showed prodromal symptoms, mainly negative ones. It suggests that the health care system or early detect program to minimize DUP and DUI should be developed. (Schizophrenia Clinics 2003;6: 145-157)
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