title: Cantabria first-episode schizophrenia study: three-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present the findings from the three-year follow-up of all first episodes of schizophrenia occurring during a two-year period in Cantabria (in Spain).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (a) To describe the clinical characteristics of the illness from the early stages of the disease, and (b) to study the long-term psychosocial adjustment and psychopathological evolution of these patients, identifying predictors for the course of the illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the original cohort of 86 patients, 76 (88.3%) were fully evaluated at three-year follow-up. Psychiatric assessment was performed (PSE-9 and SANS/SAPS). Social adjustment was evaluated using the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS). Information regarding the clinical evolution and use of health resources was also gathered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients with a first-contact diagnosis of schizophrenia failed to meet the criteria for a CATEGO diagnosis at follow-up. The SANS/SAPS assessments revealed a doubling in the proportion of patients with 'negative schizophrenia'. The pattern of clinical course was also evaluated, with 24 (31.5%) of the patients having a good outcome. Being male and having low social class tended to be associated with poor clinical outcome
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of schizophrenia is less pessimistic than was originally thought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Barquero
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cuesta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herrera Castanedo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lastra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrán
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology