Outcome of first episode and relapsing patients with schizophrenia presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka: a prospective one year follow up study
Background - This study aimed to describe symptomatic and functional outcomes over 12 months for two cohorts of patients with schizophrenia in Sri Lanka. - Methodology - A prospective observational study was conducted among two cohorts of patients (first episode/FEC=122, relapsing/REC=118) aged 15-6...
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , , , , |
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| Dokumenttyp: | Article (Journal) |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Veröffentlicht: |
March 2026
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| In: |
Asian journal of psychiatry
Year: 2026, Jahrgang: 117, Pages: 1-8 |
| ISSN: | 1876-2026 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ajp.2026.104842 |
| Online-Zugang: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2026.104842 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876201826000158 
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| Verfasserangaben: | Madhubhashinee Dayabandara, Prasad Liyanage, Eric Tian, Gary Remington, Varuni De Silva, Raveen Hanwella |
| Zusammenfassung: | Background - This study aimed to describe symptomatic and functional outcomes over 12 months for two cohorts of patients with schizophrenia in Sri Lanka. - Methodology - A prospective observational study was conducted among two cohorts of patients (first episode/FEC=122, relapsing/REC=118) aged 15-60 years diagnosed with schizophrenia in the University Psychiatry Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Patients with schizoaffective, other psychotic or organic disorders were excluded. Assessments conducted at baseline, 6 and 12 months included sociodemographic and clinical details, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and WHO Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule. Remission followed the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria. Recovery included remission, independent living and employment. - Results - Cohorts were similar except in age distribution and substance use. Mortality was 0.8% over 12 months. Relapse rates were similar for both cohorts (21-25%). The FEC showed significantly higher remission (60-65%) and recovery (45-47%) compared with REC (remission: 38-48%, recovery: 21-27%) at 6- and 12-months. Sustained recovery over 12 months ranged from 13% to 33%. FEC presented with more severe symptoms and functional impairment at baseline but showed steeper improvement. Depression prevalence was 83% in both cohorts at baseline. Employment significantly increased from 43% to 53% in FEC remaining stable for REC at 42%. Medication non-adherence was higher in FEC (20-38%), main reasons being forgetfulness and beliefs of non-necessity. - Conclusions - Schizophrenia outcomes remain favourable in Sri Lanka. First episode patients achieve better symptom improvement and functional gains. Early use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics, legislative reforms, psychoeducation, and family involvement may help sustain these favourable outcomes. |
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| Beschreibung: | Online verfügbar 9 January 2026, Version des Artikels 14 January 2026 Gesehen am 27.03.2026 |
| Beschreibung: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1876-2026 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ajp.2026.104842 |