Formal thought disorder in people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. Issue 4 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demjaha, Arsime; Weinstein, Sara; Stahl, Daniel; Day, Fern; Valmaggia, Lucia; Rutigliano, Grazia; De Micheli, Andrea; Fusar-Poli, Paolo; McGuire, Philip
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 3:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.116.004408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Formal thought disorder is a cardinal feature of psychosis. However, the extent to which formal thought disorder is evident in ultra-high-risk individuals and whether it is linked to the progression to psychosis remains unclear. Aims: Examine the severity of formal thought disorder in ultra-high-risk participants and its association with future psychosis. Method: The Thought and Language Index (TLI) was used to assess 24 ultra-high-risk participants, 16 people with first-episode psychosis and 13 healthy controls. Ultra-high-risk individuals were followed up for a mean duration of 7 years (s.d.=1.5) to determine the relationship between formal thought disorder at baseline and transition to psychosis. Results: TLI scores were significantly greater in the ultra-high-risk group compared with the healthy control group (effect size (ES)=1.2), but lower than in people with first-episode psychosis (ES=0.8). Total and negative TLI scores were higher in ultra-high-risk individuals who developed psychosis, but this was not significant. Combining negative TLI scores with attenuated psychotic symptoms and basic symptoms predicted transition to psychosis (P=0.04; ES=1.04). Conclusions: TLI is beneficial in evaluating formal thought disorder in ultra-high-risk participants, and complements existing instruments for the evaluation of psychopathology in this group.