Does schizoaffective disorder really exist? A systematic review of the studies that compared schizoaffective disorder with schizophrenia or mood disorders.
BACKGROUND
Since its first definition in the literature, schizoaffective disorder (SAD) has raised a considerable controversy regarding its clinical distinction from schizophrenia (SCH) and mood disorders (MD) as well as its validity as an independent nosological category.


OBJECTIVE
Investigate the validity of SAD as a discrete nosological category and its relationship with SCH and MD.


METHODS
A systematic literature review of clinical trial that compared SAD with SCH and/or MD patients was carried out throughout MEDLINE, psycINFO, Cochrane Library, SCIELO and LILACS databases.


RESULTS
Evaluation of demographic characteristics, symptomatology, other clinical data, dexamethasone suppression test, neuroimage exams, response to treatment, evolution and family morbidity indicated that SAD occupies an intermediate position between SCH and MD. Literature review also failed to indicate a clear cut distinction between SAD and SCH or MD.


CONCLUSIONS
Present analysis indicated that SAD cannot be interpreted as atypical forms of SCH or MD. SAD also does not appear to represent a SCH and MD comorbidity or yet an independent mental disorder. It is argued that SAD might constitute a heterogeneous group composed by both SCH and MD patients or a middle point of a continuum between SCH and MD.
Cheniaux
Elie
E
Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. echeniaux@globo.com
Landeira-Fernandez
J
J
Lessa Telles
Leonardo
L
Lessa
José Luiz M
JL
Dias
Allan
A
Duncan
Teresa
T
Versiani
Marcio
M
D015897:Comorbidity; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009626:Terminology as Topic