Characteristics of outcome in schizophrenia at 13 years.
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.
Mason
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Nottingham.
Harrison
G
G
Glazebrook
C
C
Medley
I
I
Dalkin
T
T
Croudace
T
T
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