Non-regressive schizophrenia: prediction of regressive course

Regressive course during a 14-17 year follow-up in 54 non-regressive (pseudoneurotic, borderline, latent) schizophrenic subjects was predicted from about 100 variables studied on first admission. A significant prediction could not be achieved. This finding lends additional support to our previous interpretation that patients with a non-regressive syndrome are schizophrenics. A large number of them will run a typical schizophrenic course, but we are unable to predict from initial data who will do so. The few possibly predictive variables seemed to be of an unspecific, quantitative and longitudinal nature. They may act in a cumulative manner to increase the vulnerability to psychotic decompensation.