Rosa Ayesa Arriola1, Esther Setién-Suero1, Diana Tordesillas-Gutierrez1, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro1; 1IDIVAL, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria. CIBERSAM, Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health Network
Specialized early intervention (EI) programs are efficient in treating patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) at least after 2 years. However, the question of whether gains are long-term maintained and particularly sex-based prognostic implications needs larger and longer trials. Data for the present work were obtained from FAFIP and PAFIP-10, which are incidence and 10-year follow-up studies, respectively, of all individuals with a FEP presenting for the first time to specialist mental health in the defined catchment area of Cantabria (Spain) once EI was established in this area in February 2001. A total of 305 referrals to PAFIP between 2001-2007 received specialized EI during 3 years, and all these patients were invited for a reassessment 10 years after. Women and men were longitudinally compared on demographic, positive, negative, depressive, functional, and neurocognitive variables, and antipsychotic treatment. Our results show that the effects of PAFIP early intervention continue 10 years after first contact, particularly in female. When women were compared to men, the data demonstrate that women who suffered a FEP have better courses of illness and global outcomes than men. Women have better responses to antipsychotics, fewer negative symptoms and better functioning. Both men and women showed a period of recovery, particularly in women using minimal antipsychotic doses, between 1 and 3 year follow-up. However, that vanished at some point after PAFIP discharge from specialized intervention towards community-based services. These data helps to put the question of targeted sexes and lengthen interventions in FEP.
