title: The deficit state in first-episode schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcome of the deficit syndrome were determined for 70 patients ascertained in their first episode of schizophrenia and then followed through their recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were treated in a standardized manner and underwent baseline assessments of symptoms and adverse effects that were repeated at intervals throughout their inpatient and subsequent outpatient course. Forty-seven patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after remission of their positive symptoms, allowing for an assessment of their deficit syndrome status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using modified criteria of Carpenter et al. for the deficit syndrome, the authors found that two patients (4%) met all criteria for the deficit syndrome, nine (19%) had deficit symptoms (questionable deficit state), and 36 (77%) had no deficit symptoms. When patients who had not fully remitted or had remitted for less than 6 months were included, seven (10%) met deficit syndrome criteria, 11 (16%) had deficit symptoms, and 52 (74%) had no deficit symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of the deficit syndrome in first-episode schizophrenia varies depending on the criteria used and is lower than that previously described in more chronic patient samples. Patients without deficit symptoms had better premorbid functioning and a better global outcome than patients with deficit symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Hillside Hospital, Division of Long Island Jewish Medical Center, N.Y. 11004.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Mayerhoff
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Loebel
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alvir
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Szymanski
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Geisler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borenstein
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome