The Prevalence of Negative Symptoms Across the Stages of the Psychosis Continuum

Patients in every stage of the psychosis continuum can present with negative symptoms. While no treatment is currently available to address these symptoms, a more refined characterization of their course over the lifetime could help in elaborating interventions. Previous reports have separately investigated the prevalence of negative symptoms within each stage of the psychosis continuum. Our aim in this review is to compare those prevalences across stages, thereby disclosing the course of negative symptoms.

We searched several databases for studies reporting prevalences of negative symptoms in each one of our predetermined stages of the psychosis continuum: clinical or ultra-high risk (UHR), first-episode of psychosis (FEP), and younger and older patients who have experienced multiple episodes of psychosis (MEP). We combined results using the definitions of negative symptoms detailed in the Brief Negative Symptom Scale, a recently developed tool. For each negative symptom, we averaged and weighted by the combined sample size the prevalences of each negative symptom at each stage.

We selected 47 studies totaling 1872 UHR, 2947 FEP, 5039 younger MEP, and 669 older MEP patients. For each negative symptom, the prevalences showed a comparable course. Each negative symptom decreased from the UHR to FEP stages and then increased from the FEP to MEP stages.

Certain psychological, environmental, and treatment-related factors may influence the cumulative impact of negative symptoms, presenting the possibility for early intervention to improve the long-term course.