title: Patients with very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis: a follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The topic of course and outcome of very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) has not received the research attention it deserves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of clinical symptoms and functional status of patients with VLOSLP in comparison with patients with life-long schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Telephone interviews were conducted on primary caregivers of 21 patients with VLOSLP who had recently been released from inpatient care. Their treating staff evaluated 21 schizophrenia inpatients according to the same criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients with VLOSLP did not present cognitive and functional deterioration. On the other hand, 8 of the 19 patients in the elderly schizophrenia group had some functional decline; 3 of those 8 patients seemed to have some cognitive decline, as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the VLOSLP patients present stable cognitive and everyday functioning, as compared with chronically institutionalized elderly patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Psychogeriatric Dept., Abarbanel Mental Health Center, 15 KKL Street, Bat-Yam, 59100, Israel. mazehdor@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazeh
authors.forename: Channa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zemishlani
authors.forename: Dov
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aizenberg
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Barak
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology