The significance of family history in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
There have been inconsistent findings regarding the significance of family history of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in relation to presentation and course of illness. There has been little research relevant to this issue from first-episode patients. We examined the differences in premorbid adjustment, symptoms, and intellectual functioning between 28 first-episode schizophrenia spectrum patients with a history of such illness in first degree relatives and 28 matched patients without such a family history. The results indicate that whereas the 2 groups did not differ in presenting symptoms, those with a positive family history showed poorer intellectual functioning and less reduction in symptoms at 2 and 3 year follow-up and greater likelihood of abnormal electroencephalogram findings. The findings provide evidence that presence of a positive family history in first-episode patients is associated with a more pernicious form of illness.
University of Western Ontario, Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, London, Ontario, Canada. rnorman@uwo.ca
Ross M G
RM
Norman
Rahul
R
Manchanda
Ashok K
AK
Malla
Raj
R
Harricharan
Sandra
S
Northcott
D017668:Age of Onset; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents