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[Symptoms and social functioning features in chronic schizophrenia are aggregate in a tripartite structure]
V Di Michele1, F Bolino, G Di Zio
1Azienda USL di Pescara, Dipartimento di Salute Mentale, Centro di Salute Mentale di Pescara, Pescara. vittorio.dimichele@tin.it
Objective:
To verify the association between schizophrenic symptoms and multidimensional variables of social functioning and to look for a possible classification based on an empirical classification outcome oriented.
Design:
Forty chronic schizophrenic patients, with a diagnosis ascertained through clinical interview and diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study.
Setting:
All patients were followed in a State Mental Health center and were assessed in a stabilized phase of illness. PRINCIPAL OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychopathological assessment was made with PANSS and CGI. Psychosocial assessment was made with Life Skills Profile and Global Functioning Scale.
Results:
A pervasive correlation among symptoms and psychosocial variables emerged suggesting a unitary concept of behavior related to diagnosis. Factor analysis revealed 2 main components able to explain the 79% of variance. Cluster analysis separated the patients in 3 different groups showing that clinical symptoms are aggregated with specific variables of social functioning.
Conclusion:
Schizophrenic symptoms and social functioning are organized in a tripartite structure. It suggests the existence of three different syndromes that are outcome oriented, and compatible with an unitary concept of schizophrenia.