Factors affecting duration of untreated psychosis - A retrospective study done in general hospital setting

Background: Duration of the untreated psychosis has been predicted to be one of a factor which affects the outcome of disease and leading to poor prognosis in the patients. Previous studies had predicted that the longer the duration of psychosis the poor the outcome of the treatment. Aim: To assess the factors affecting the Duration of untreated psychosis among patients with first episode psychosis in General hospital setup. Materials and methods: Retrospective study was done on patients who got admitted for the duration of 6 months (1st June 2014 to 31st November 2014). Patients who were diagnosed to have first episode psychosis according to ICD-10 were taken up for the study. Duration of untreated psychosis and the socio demographic details were noted. Results: The duration of untreated psychosis was seen more in male (58%), 45% in age group of 20-29, 54% were married, 71% in lower middle economic status, 75% of people were from semi urban background and 41% of patients had duration of untreated psychosis for duration of 2-5 weeks. Mean average age is 30.75 and duration of untreated psychosis is 40 days. Conclusion: Mean average age is 30.75 and duration of untreated psychosis is 40 days. Age, gender, marital status, socio-economic status and residence (Environment) acting as a predictor for the long DUP is consistent with previous studies but significant findings couldn't be found, when two groups were compared thus giving the conclusion that Sociodemographic factors alone doesn't influence on DUP.