The delay between psychosis onset and initiation of treatment (duration of untreated psychosis, DUP) is associated with a poorer treatment response and overall functional outcome. In Europe several early detection and intervention programs have been developed to reduce the DUP and promote Phase-specific Treatments (PsTs).

To review the evidence of a) the effectiveness of European Early Interventions (EEIs) in reducing DUP; b) an impact of PsTs on clinical and social outcomes; and c) EEIs cost-effectiveness.

A literature search in PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane and individual journals through cross-referencing was performed. All European Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) designed to reduce DUP and/or to implement PsTs for people with first-episode psychosis were included in the review.

Studies examining early detection programs compared with Standard Care (SC) reported discrepant findings as to their impact on the DUP. PsTs generally reduce hospitalizations and improve service engagement when compared with SC; their impact on other clinical variables, e.g. symptomatology and social functioning, is unclear. Studies assessing EEIs cost-effectiveness in comparison with SC consistently report an advantage for EEIs in the long run.

EEIs, as compared to SC, show several advantages that seem to result in an overall reduction in the cost of care. Therefore, the development of EEI is recommended.

On the other hand, some inconsistencies in the reported results suggest that EEIs should include psychosocial interventions targeting unmet needs of schizophrenia patients, such as cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms.

SG received honoraria or Advisory board/consulting fees from the following companies: Lundbeck, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman-La Roche, Angelini-Acraf, Otsuka, Pierre Fabre and Gedeon-Richter. All other authors have declared.