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

The intensive early-intervention program improved clinical outcome after 2 years, but the effects were not sustainable up to 5 years later. Secondary outcome measures showed differences in the proportion of patients living in supported housing and days in hospital at the 5-year follow-up in favor of the intensive early-intervention program.

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.

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In this first-episode cohort depressive and psychotic symptoms, especially hallucinations, predicted suicidal plans and attempts, and persistent suicidal behaviour and ideation were associated with high risk of attempted suicide.