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Psychopathological long‐term outcome of schizophrenia – a review
Author(s) -
Lang F. U.,
Kösters M.,
Lang S.,
Becker T.,
Jäger M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/acps.12030
Subject(s) - psychopathology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , medicine , psychiatry , schizoaffective disorder , medline , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , psychosis , psychology , political science , law
Objective In the past, the comparability of empirical studies that examined the course and outcome of schizophrenia was limited by their use of different diagnostic systems. Focussing on the psychopathological long‐term outcome, the present article aims to review follow‐up studies that used modern operationalized diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia ( DSM ‐ III , DSM ‐ III ‐R, DSM ‐ IV and ICD ‐10). Method We searched MEDLINE , the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE , Psyc INFO and PSYNDEX for relevant studies up to the year 2011. Twenty‐one studies were included in the final analysis. Results The long‐term outcome of schizophrenia was heterogeneous and included full remissions as well as severe chronic states. Schizophrenia, however, showed a considerably more unfavourable outcome than other diagnostic groups such as schizoaffective or affective disorders. Psychopathological symptoms remained relatively stable in the course of illness. Several predictors for a poor outcome were identified, such as male gender or pronounced negative symptoms. Conclusion Recent studies using modern diagnostic systems largely confirm the results of earlier studies. Current diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia identify a heterogeneous sample of patients. The influence of therapeutic interventions on long‐term outcome remains unclear.