Association between global functioning at first schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment resistance. Issue 6 (8th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Horsdal, Henriette T.; Wimberley, Theresa; Köhler‐Forsberg, Ole; Baandrup, Lone; Gasse, Christiane
• Is Part Of: Early intervention in psychiatry. Volume 12:Issue 6(2018:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1198
• Page End: 1202
• Publication Date: 2017-12-08
• Subjects: antipsychotics -- global functioning -- risk factors -- schizophrenia -- treatment resistance; Mental health -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Research -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Prevention -- Research -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Treatment -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.12522
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7885

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: Several factors such as age, gender, urbanicity and clinical treatment setting have been associated with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia (TRS). We examined the association between the Global Assessment of Functioning (social Functioning [GAF‐F]) score at first schizophrenia diagnosis and TRS and explored whether level of functioning could partially explain the known associations. Methods: A nationwide population‐based cohort study among individuals, who had a GAF‐F score at first schizophrenia diagnosis. We used adjusted Cox regression analysis to calculate hazard ratios (HRs). Results: Among 3252 individuals, severe functional impairment (GAF‐F ≤ 30) was associated with TRS within 2 years after diagnosis (adjusted HR = 1.38 [95% confidence interval: 1.03‐1.87). GAF‐F had virtually no impact on the associations between investigated known risk factors and TRS. Conclusions: GAF‐F was independently associated with TRS. Consideration of a global functioning score may help clinicians to detect treatment resistance earlier among individuals with schizophrenia.