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. 2023 Oct 13;23(1):748.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05247-0.

Prevalence, risk factors and multiple outcomes of treatment delay in Chinese patients with schizophrenia

Yue-Hui Yu  1 , Quan Lu  2
Affiliations

Prevalence, risk factors and multiple outcomes of treatment delay in Chinese patients with schizophrenia

Yue-Hui Yu et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: People with schizophrenia often delay treatment. This issue is not fully understood, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence, risk factors and multiple outcomes of treatment delay in schizophrenia in a Chinese metropolis.

Methods: A two-stage whole cluster sampling survey was conducted in Beijing, China in 2020. A total of 1,619 patients with schizophrenia were included. Heterogeneity between groups and the changing trend of treatment delay were presented. Regression modelling methods were used to examine both the risk factors for treatment delay and related outcomes at individual and family levels.

Results: The median treatment delay for schizophrenia was 89 days (about 13 weeks). 49.35% surveyed patients delayed treatment for more than three months. Early age of onset, low level of education, living in well developed districts were important risk factors. Treatment delay in schizophrenia was significantly associated with patients' poor medication adherence, comorbidity status and poor social functioning. It also increased the negative impact of the illness on families.

Conclusions: This study accumulated evidence of treatment delay in schizophrenia in China. It occurs even in the metropolis where mental health resources are relatively adequate. Further targeted interventions to raise public awareness should be crucial to reduce treatment delay.

Keywords: China; Outcomes; Risk factors; Schizophrenia; Treatment delay.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Scatter and bar charts showing trends in treatment delays over time
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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