title: Negative psychotic symptoms and impaired role functioning predict transition outcomes in the at-risk mental state: a latent class cluster analysis study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many research groups have attempted to predict which individuals with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis will later develop a psychotic disorder. However, it is difficult to predict the course and outcome based on individual symptoms scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 318 ARMS individuals from two specialized services for ARMS subjects were analysed using latent class cluster analysis (LCCA). The score on the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) was used to explore the number, size and symptom profiles of latent classes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LCCA produced four high-risk classes, censored after 2 years of follow-up: class 1 (mild) had the lowest transition risk (4.9%). Subjects in this group had the lowest scores on all the CAARMS items, they were younger, more likely to be students and had the highest Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score. Subjects in class 2 (moderate) had a transition risk of 10.9%, scored moderately on all CAARMS items and were more likely to be in employment. Those in class 3 (moderate-severe) had a transition risk of 11.4% and scored moderately severe on the CAARMS. Subjects in class 4 (severe) had the highest transition risk (41.2%), they scored highest on the CAARMS, had the lowest GAF score and were more likely to be unemployed. Overall, class 4 was best distinguished from the other classes on the alogia, avolition/apathy, anhedonia, social isolation and impaired role functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different classes of symptoms were associated with significant differences in the risk of transition at 2 years of follow-up. Symptomatic clustering predicts prognosis better than individual symptoms.
authors: King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Valmaggia
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Stahl
authors: A R
authors: AR
authors: Yung
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Nelson
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Fusar-Poli
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: McGorry
authors: P K
authors: PK
authors: McGuire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D059445:Anhedonia; D057565:Apathy; D001037:Aphasia / Q000523:psychology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult