title: DSM-5-defined attenuated psychosis syndrome and conversion to full-scale schizophrenia spectrum disorders: An institution-wide retrospective review.
abstract: The objective of the study was to determine if DSM-5-defined attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS) could identify individuals with prodromal psychosis and predict conversion to schizophrenia spectrum disorders at a rate similar to that observed in previous studies that utilized structured interviews and specialized rating scales.
  
  
  
  A retrospective review of patients' medical records was used to identify individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for the APS, followed by further evaluation 2 to 3 years after the initial diagnosis, to determine if they converted to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Results then were compared with previous studies.
  
  
  
  Of our study population, 43.4% converted to schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder 2 to 3 years after initial diagnosis of APS. Comparison at the 3-year mark indicated that there was no significant difference between our observed rates and previously published conversion rates (P = .066). Three covariates were found to increase significantly the rates of conversion when added to the APS criteria: Cannabis use (P = .048), lack of previous Axis I diagnosis (P = .005), and lack of previous treatment with psychotropic medications (P = .009).
  
  
  
  APS accurately predicts conversion to full-scale schizophrenia spectrum disorders at a rate similar to that observed in previous studies using structured interviews and specialized rating scales.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC USA. E-mail: zuschlagzd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zuschlag
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korte
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franko-Tobin
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamner
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult