title: Characteristics of outcome in schizophrenia at 13 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper describes the 13-year outcome of an epidemiologically defined and representative cohort of patients selected when they were experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 13-year follow-up study of a cohort identified in Nottingham in 1978-80, the outcome (symptoms, disability, residence and treatment) was assessed using standardised instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four of the original 67 patients with ICD-9 schizophrenia were lost to follow-up and five were dead: 52% were without psychotic symptoms in the last two years of follow-up, 52% were without negative symptoms and 55% showed good/fair social functioning. However, only 17% were alive at follow-up, without symptoms and disability, and receiving no treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings reported are similar to those of other long-term follow-up studies of schizophrenia and also to 5-year follow-up studies. Kraepelin's emphasis on the longitudinal implications of a diagnosis of schizophrenia are supported, but may be over-pessimistic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Nottingham.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glazebrook
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Medley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dalkin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Croudace
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome