title: Remission, prediction and stability of symptoms in schizophrenia: A naturalistic 12-month follow-up study.
abstract: Abstract Objective. Since its introduction in 2005, schizophrenia remission consensus criteria have been used in several prospective and cross-sectional studies. The aim of this prospective assessment of patients with schizophrenia was to employ the remission criteria in a naturalistic study design. Methods. One hundred and six patients with schizophrenia (ICD10 F 20.x) were enrolled into the study during inpatient treatment. Remission criteria with respect to changes in psychopathology ratings were obtained by trained interviewers at discharge and at 12-month follow-up using BPRS. Furthermore, information on social functioning and treatment-related quality of life were assessed using GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) and SWN-K (Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale). Results. A total of 13.2% of the patients were found to meet remission criteria during follow-up. While there was no significant change in the mean BPRS scores, 14.2% of the subjects showed significant worsening and 29.2% significant improvement of their psychotic symptoms. Subsequent logistic regression analysis, explaining approximately 32% of symptomatic remission variance, indicated a significant influence of BPRS-Overall-Score and independent living at discharge. Conclusions. The results of this naturalistic study indicate that only a minority of former inpatients with schizophrenia achieve remission after 1 year and relevant subgroups of patients have significant bi-directional changes in symptoms during follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrieverbund Oldenburger Land gGmbH, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wolfgang Preuss
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Richard Krischke
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mooi Wong
authors.forename: JöRg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
keywords: Schizophrenia; follow-up; prediction; quality management; remission