Unipolar and bipolar schizoaffective disorders: a comparative study. II. Long-term course.
Seventy-two schizoaffective patients were investigated longitudinally (mean follow-up period 25.6 years). Of these, 37 were classified as unipolar and 35 as bipolar schizoaffectives. Their long-term courses were compared. Bipolar schizoaffectives were found to have shorter cycles, i.e. more frequent relapses and more episodes. Bipolars displayed much more variation in symptomatology. Unipolar schizo-affectives had longer periods of remission (that is the last relapse-free period if longer than 3 years) and more frequently showed suicidal symptomatology than did bipolar schizoaffectives. Altogether bipolar schizoaffective disorders had a more unfavourable course than unipolar disorders.
Marneros
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Psychiatric Department, University of Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.
Rohde
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Deister
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010556:Personality Tests; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*