Prospective comparison of course of disability in antipsychotic-treated and untreated schizophrenia patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the course of disability in schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotics and those remaining untreated in a rural community.


METHODS
Of 215 schizophrenia patients identified in a rural south Indian community, 58% were not receiving antipsychotics. Trained raters assessed the disability in 190 of these at baseline and after 1 year. The course of disability in those who remained untreated was compared with that in those who received antipsychotics.


RESULTS
Mean disability scores remained virtually unchanged in those who remained untreated, but showed a significant decline (indicating decrement in disability) in those who continued to receive antipsychotics and in those in whom antipsychotic treatment was initiated (P < 0.001; group x occasion effect). The proportion of patients classified as 'disabled' declined significantly in the treated group (P < 0.01), but remained the same in the untreated group.


CONCLUSIONS
Disability in untreated schizophrenia patients remains unchanged over time. Treatment with antipsychotics in the community results in a considerable reduction in disability.
Thirthalli
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. jagatth@yahoo.com
Venkatesh
B K
BK
Kishorekumar
K V
KV
Arunachala
U
U
Venkatasubramanian
G
G
Subbakrishna
D K
DK
Gangadhar
B N
BN
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents