Comparative study of schizotypal and schizophrenic patients

Using the method of a blind retrospective evaluation of clinical charts, 14 DSM-III pure schizotypal personality disorders (SPD) and 25 schizophrenic patients diagnosed with the help of the ICD-9 and the Flexible System were compared. Some differences emerged between the groups indicating that there may not only be a relationship between clinical samples of SPD (preferably defined by positive symptoms) and schizophrenia but also between SPD and borderline personality disorder. A group of 7 SPD and 17 schizophrenics could be followed up 4 years later. On a blind examination, SPD patients were found to be socially less well adjusted and they tended to be more symptomatic. Compared with a small DSM-III schizophrenia subgroup the differences diminished, SPD still rating higher on social dissatisfaction. A different definition of schizophrenia probably accounts for the greater part of the different results in this and previous studies.