Duration of untreated illness (DUI) has been considered as a relevant variable used to measure the degree of disabilities that are associated with psychotic disorders. In this paper we describe a cluster of patients with a DUI superior to 1year according to their symptoms and sociofamiliar functioning.

We compare a group with a DUI superior to 1year (n=7) against a group with a DUI inferior to 1year (n=17).

The group with a DUI superior to 1year showed an average age of 4years younger (21) as the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) of 1 to 3months in the 80% of cases and higher percentage of unemployed or without occupation. The 60% were derived from primary care, compared to the 17% of the other group. Although the consumption of toxic substances was similar in both groups, no toxic psychosis were found in comparison with the 35% present in the group with a DUI inferior to 1year. PANSS’ profile scored more positive and less negative symptoms. Both have similar general psychopathology. There were group differences in the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) with lower scores in the superior to 1year DUI, in the following scales: Prosocial, Autonomy, Execution and Employment. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) gives an average of almost 8 points higher.

While the SFS shows significant differences in several areas of social functioning, both PANSŚ profile and the family questionnaire do not support greater deterioration, as evidenced in the GAF's average score.