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Although prolonged use of antipsychotics is the current standard of care for schizophrenia, it is unclear whether all patients require this. These authors address this question by analyzing data from a 20-year follow-up study of 139 patients hospitalized with psychosis (mean age at index hospitalization, 23; 52% men; follow-ups at 2, 4.5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 years).
The researchers compared 70 patients with schizophrenia disorders (SZ group; schizophrenia, 61 patients; schizoaffective disorder, 9) with 69 psychotic mood-disorder patients (bipolar disorder, 38; unipolar depression, 31). For 41%, this was the first hospitalization, and for 25% the second.
Of the SZ group, approximately 35% were not taking antipsychotic medication at a particula…