Duration of remitting psychoses with acute onset. Implications for ICD- 10

Background: The acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD) in ICD-10 advanced the nosology of remitting psychoses with acute onset. But the proposed criteria for ATPD especially in regard to duration are tentative and need to be validated. Aims: To evaluate: (a) the duration of remitting psychoses with acute onset; (b) the applicability of the ATPD criteria for these cases; and (c) differences in duration and ATPD diagnoses across sociocultural settings. Method: Data from the World Health Organization Determinants of Outcome study were used. Results: The 98 cases of remitting psychoses with acute onset had a modal duration of 2-4 months, with 43% falling in this range. Mainly because of this, few met the ATPD criteria. Duration and diagnostic findings were similar across settings. Conclusions: ATPD criteria need refinement, especially in regard to duration. Further studies aimed at early detection and assessment of onset and duration of these disorders are needed. Declaration of interest: Partial support detailed in Acknowledgements. No conflict of interest.