Definitions of response and remission in schizophrenia: recommendations for their use and their presentation

To review and make recommendations for the definition and presentation of the terms 'response' and 'remission' in schizophrenia.

Selective review of publications on definitions of response and remission in schizophrenia.

When the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) or the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) are used for definitions of response, a cut-off of at least 50% reduction of the baseline score should be used for acutely ill, non-refractory patients and a cut-off of at least 25% reduction for refractory patients. When percentage BPRS/PANSS reduction is calculated, the 18/30 points minimum scores meaning 'no symptoms' on the should be subtracted. In addition, responder rates from 0-100% could be presented in a table in steps of 25%. For large and simple practical trials, the Clinical Global Impression scale with suggested improvements could be used 1-7 scale.

To show how many patients are still symptomatic at the end of study and to show the overall amount of change in both remission and responder criteria should be presented.