Duration of untreated psychosis as a predictor of therapeutic response and long-term prognosis of schizophrenic spectrum disorders

The purpose of this study is to conduct a narrative analysis of the scientific research literature aimed at studying the duration of untreated psychosis as a prognostic factor for the effectiveness of therapy and long-term prognosis of schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Materials and methods: The review is based on a systematic search in research databases for 2019-2025 with an analysis of more than 189 original papers, meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Results and discussion: a stable association has been established between a prolonged period of untreated psychosis and the severity of negative symptoms, cognitive deficits, decreased social functioning, and high suicidal risk. The introduction of early intervention programs that shorten this interval is associated with a good response to therapy and a favorable course of the disease. Conclusion. The duration of untreated psychosis is a significant factor in the prognosis of the disease, which justifies the need to reorganize psychiatric care towards preventive models. The implementation of comprehensive measures, including early detection, education, and optimization of patient routing, can mitigate negative effects and improve outcomes.