Outcome of an early intervention programme for psychosis (EASY)

Abstract

Early Intervention Services for Psychosis (EI) is an increasingly adopted approach to improve the outcome for psychotic disorders. The EASY (Early Assessment Service for Young People with Psychosis) programme in Hong Kong is one of the first in Asia. Comparison to a matched control group under standard care 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.