A follow-up study of patients with DSM-IV schizophreniform disorder.
BACKGROUND
Schizophreniform disorder (SFD) has an unclear diagnostic and prognostic status within the psychotic spectrum.


METHODS
We studied 36 inpatients admitted to our ward between 1983 and 1993 due to SFD. The patients were contacted an average of 12 years after index hospitalization, and we noted the course of their illness, as well as their present diagnosis.


RESULTS
Of the sample, 84% had additional, mostly psychotic, episodes during the follow-up, and 70% had diagnoses in the schizophrenic spectrum (that is, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder). A survival analysis revealed that confusion and the presence of at least 2 good prognostic factors (GPF) at index hospitalization predicted better outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
SFD seems to be an early manifestation of schizophrenia. Only a few of those sampled did not experience additional relapses--a pessimistic finding at 12-year follow-up. The findings of this study accord with DSM-IV criteria and the literature regarding the long-term prognosis of SFD and the importance of the GPF.
Iancu
Iulian
I
Psychiatric Division, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. IULIAN1@BEZEQINT.NET
Dannon
Pinhas N
PN
Ziv
Reuven
R
Lepkifker
Elie
E
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index