Objectives To evaluate the effects of integrated treatment for patients with a first episode of psychotic illness. Design Randomised clinical trial. Setting

BackgroundPatients with first-episode psychosis comprise a high-risk group in terms of suicide.AimsTo identify predictive factors for suicidal behaviour and to examine the effect of integrated treatment on suicidal behaviour and hopelessness.MethodA total of 341 patients with a first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder were randomised to integrated treatment or treatment as usual.ResultsDuring the 1-year follow-up period, 11% attempted suicide. This was associated with female gender, hopelessness, hallucinations and suicide attempt reported at baseline, with the two latter variables being the only significant ones in the final multivariate model. The integrated treatment reduced hopelessness.ConclusionsHallucinations and suicide attempt before inclusion in the study were the most significant predictors of suicide attempt in the follow-up period.

The integrated treatment reduced family burden of illness and improved satisfaction with treatment.

Longer DUP is associated with poorer 2-year outcome of psychosis in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, when pre-morbid functioning and other prognostic factors are controlled for. Impaired pre-morbid development is independently associated with more negative symptoms and poorer social outcome.

The surge of interest in preventively oriented detection and treatment models for untreated psychosis in young people calls for research programmes and evidence. The obstacles to this are manifold. The initial findings of the OPUS study suggest, however, that better adherence to treatment is possible.