title: Remitted but still impaired? Symptomatic versus functional remission in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies reported close associations between functional outcome and symptomatic remission as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group. This observational study was aimed at the investigation of deficits in daily functioning, symptoms and subjective well-being in remitted and non-remitted patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Symptoms (PANSS), functional outcome (FROGS, GAF), subjective well-being (SWN-K) and other characteristics were assessed in 131 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV) within the European Group on Functional Outcomes and Remission in Schizophrenia (EGOFORS) project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant better level of functioning was measured for remitted versus non-remitted patients, though remitted patients still showed areas with an inadequate level of functioning. Functional deficits were most often seen in social relations (40%), work (29%) and daily life activities (17%). Best functioning was assessed for self-care, self-control, health management and medical treatment. A moderate to severe level of disorganization and emotional distress was observed in 38% and impaired subjective well-being in 29% of patients defined as being in symptomatic remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm a close association between symptomatic remission and functional outcome. However, deficits in different areas of functioning, symptoms and well-being underline the need for combined outcome criteria for patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Psychosis Early Detection and Intervention Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. karow@uke.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karow
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schöttle
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naber
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012648:Self Care
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents