Prognostic implications of paranoia and thought disorder in new onset psychosis

This study follows a group of 174 young people with new onset of schizotypal symptoms and examines factors which may lead to conversion to psychosis. These prodromal subjects were screened for symptoms and later given the Structured Clinical Interview of DSM-III-R at one year, two years and ten years post onset. We also included the Paranoia Scale of Fenigstein and Vanable and the Scale for Thought, Language and Communications of Andreasen in all interviews. Our analysis found that the addition of scales for paranoia and thought disorder enhanced prediction of conversion to psychosis and long term outcome. The early occurrence of ideas of reference and poverty of thought appear to be significant predictors of future deterioration even when considered among other high-risk variables.