[Mental retardation and psychiatric pathology. Statistical investigation and follow-up]

The Authors describe the organization and aims of the rehabilitation institute "G. Ferrero" of Alba, Cuneo district, Italy. Afterwards they present, analyse and compare 34 items regarding patients over 14 years of age that were present on the 30 November 1978 and 1988. The most important data are: 1) a large rise in average age and stay at the institute; 2) a similar rise in the mental retardation level; 3) the lack of link between handicap level and possibility for the subject to go back to the original family; 4) a considerable increase in the subjects with psychosis or cerebropathia; 5) the poor prognosis for psychotic subjects, that are affected 10 years after and almost never succeed in going back to their original family or in finding a job; 6) big changes that changing types of patients produced in the institute's aims and in treatment, with partial renunciation to rehabilitation and development of nursing and ergotherapy.