A case-controlled study on the outcome of an early intervention programme for psychosis (EASY)

Abstract

In an attempt to improve the outcome for psychotic disorders, the EASY (Early Assessment Service for Young People with Psychosis) programme was launched in Hong Kong in 2001. Being one of the first in Asia, it comprised of two major components, namely early detection and critical period intervention. Comparison was made with a matched historical control group under standard care where the first psychotic episode was usually managed under in-patient care, followed by relatively sparse outpatient visits with little psychosocial support. The EASY service provides specialized multidisciplinary team to offer a comprehensive package of intervention targeting the specific needs of patients and their carers at this stage of the disorder. It adopts a case-management approach and assertively follows first-episode patients for 2 years after the initial episode. Results at three years showed that EI patients had fewer days in hospital, better functional outcome, lower likelihood of disengagement from service, and less aggressive behaviour, completed suicides or suicide attempts. No significant difference was found for relapses and the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) suggesting that in Hong Kong, the improved outcome was not mediated by these two variables. The present study suggests that early psychosis programme in Hong Kong is successful in improving the 3-year outcome of psychotic disorders. The effect appears to be attributable to improved intervention rather than to a reduction of DUP, relapses or atypical medication.