Predicting the onset of psychosis in patients at clinical high risk: Practical guide to probabilistic prognostic reasoning

P Fusar-Poli*, F Schultze-Lutter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Citations (Scopus)
193 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Prediction of psychosis in patients at clinical high risk (CHR) has become a mainstream focus of clinical and research interest worldwide. When using CHR instruments for clinical purposes, the predicted outcome is but only a probability; and, consequently, any therapeutic action following the assessment is based on probabilistic prognostic reasoning. Yet, probabilistic reasoning makes considerable demands on the clinicians. We provide here a scholarly practical guide summarising the key concepts to support clinicians with probabilistic prognostic reasoning in the CHR state. We review risk or cumulative incidence of psychosis in, person-time rate of psychosis, Kaplan-Meier estimates of psychosis risk, measures of prognostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in receiver operator characteristic curves, positive and negative predictive values, Bayes’ theorem, likelihood ratios, potentials and limits of real-life applications of prognostic probabilistic reasoning in the CHR state. Understanding basic measures used for prognostic probabilistic reasoning is a prerequisite for successfully implementing the early detection and prevention of psychosis in clinical practice. Future refinement of these measures for CHR patients may actually influence risk management, especially as regards initiating or withholding treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10-15
Number of pages6
JournalEvidence-Based Mental Health
Volume19
Issue number1
Early online date20 Jan 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Predicting the onset of psychosis in patients at clinical high risk: Practical guide to probabilistic prognostic reasoning'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this