Defining negative symptoms remission in schizophrenia using the Brief Negative Symptom Scale

This study aimed to propose criteria for negative symptoms remission (NSR) in schizophrenia using the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS).

274 participants were assessed on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), BNSS and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Two criteria for NSR on the BNSS were proposed - NSR based on the BNSS domains scores (NSR_{BNSS_DOMAINS}) and NSR based on 5 key items of the BNSS (NSR_{BNSS_5ITEMS})_. A SOFAS score of 61 and above was considered as functional remission (FR). Logistic regressions were run to examine the association between FR and NSR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for the NSR criteria on FR. Kappa agreement statistic was used to evaluate the agreement between the two NSR criteria.

Eighty-nine (32.5%) participants fulfilled NSR_{BNSS_DOMAINS} criterion whereas 70 (25.6%) participants fulfilled NSR_{BNSS_5ITEMS} criterion. The two NSR criteria had substantial agreement (Kappa statistic=0.797) with each other. Sixty-one (25.3%) participants were in FR. FR was significantly associated with NSR, irrespective of the criterion used. To predict FR, the Area Under the Curve for NSR_{BNSS_DOMAINS} and NSR_{BNSS_5ITEMS} were 0.761 (CI: 0.696-0.826, p<0.001) and 0.723 (CI: 0.656-0.790, p<0.001), respectively. Hence, both NSR criteria demonstrated a fair ability to discriminate between functional remitters and non-remitters.

Depending on the setting and needs, clinicians and researchers might employ either the full BNSS or an abbreviated 5-item BNSS scale to identify NSR in schizophrenia. More research is needed to further examine the validity of these criteria in schizophrenia.