Determinants of Long Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Medication Adherence in Egyptian Schizophrenic Patients: The role of Social Support

ackground: Any delay in the treatment of individuals affected by psychosis seems to constitute a highly negative prognostic factor with early intervention being considered an important component of treatment programs. Objectives: The present study explored the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics that are associated with and can predict long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). It evaluated medication adherence and the role played by social support in medication adherence. Method: A cross sectional study of 90 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM IV-TR were assessed clinically by semi-structured interviews for socidemographic data and determination of DUP. The following scales were used: Scales for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Negative Symptoms (SAPS and SANS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), Schedule for the Assessment of Insight (SAI-E), and Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: DUP was significantly negatively correlated with GAF, SAIE, MMAS, perceived social support(r=-.220, -.213, -.211,-.641 respectively). Predictors of long DUP were being a woman, unmarried, having a lower education, unemployed in addition, high level of negative symptoms (beta=-.186, -.141, -.272, -.559, .231 respectively) while social support was the only predictor of medication adherence (beta= .388). Conclusion: Early identification and management of the factors that can influence DUP should be included in early intervention initiatives.