Un modello operativo per il trattamento degli esordi di schizofrenia

Introduction

Recent studies have documented an increased frequency of psychotic disorders among young persons, which carry a worse prognosis than adult-onset forms. This work highlights the potential benefits of early, integrated intervention on the global outcomes in these cases.

Aim of the study

In Palermo, we emphasize the integration of interventions by staff members of the University Medical Center's Department of Psychiatry, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Neuropsychiatry for Children and Adolescents (NPIA) of the ASP (local health authority), and the University Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, as well as the creation of a database for patients whose care is transferred from the NPIA to the CSM (service of mental health for outpatients).

Materials and methods

We report our observations on the efficacy of the integrated approach in one of our patients. These observations, which cover an 8-month period, illustrate the positive effects of this strategy. We assessed the effectiveness of integrated intervention on a group of patients transferred from the NPIA to the adult psychiatric services. Results were compared with those obtained in another group of patients who did not receive integrated treatment during the same transfer. We identified the following descriptive criteria: 1) assessment tests; 2) anamnestic-observational criteria; 3) rehabilitation criteria.

Conclusions

Early intervention is important in attempts to reduce the number, duration, and severity of relapses, and it is associated with better functional outcomes.