Symptomatic remission in a multiracial urban population of older adults with schizophrenia

Symptomatic remission has been reported in younger patients with schizophrenia. This study aims to determine the prevalence of symptomatic remission in older adults with schizophrenia.

The Schizophrenia Group consisted of 198 persons aged 55+ years living in the community who developed schizophrenia before age 45 years. Our definition of remission was adapted from the criteria of the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group. To attain remission, persons had to have scores of <3 on eight domains of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and no hospitalizations within the previous year. Using George's Social Antecedent Model, we examined the association of remission with 18 predictor variables.

Forty-nine percent of the sample met the criteria for symptomatic remission. In logistic regression analysis, four variables--fewer total network contacts, greater proportion of intimates, fewer lifetime traumatic events, and higher Dementia Rating Scale scores--were significantly associated with remission.

Remission rates were consistent with those reported in younger samples. Our findings suggest that symptomatic remission is an attainable goal and that treatments focused on those variables associated with remission may augment outcomes in older persons with schizophrenia.