Detoxification treatment for chronic schizophrenic patients: experimental results and data from a survey

Blood detoxification as a treatment of schizophrenia has been studied intensively since 1977 by a number of research centers. Results of an open study on 10 chronic schizophrenic patients--two showing improvement--were less favorable than those reported in the initial publications. In order to possibly identify a subgroup of responders to this treatment, a survey was undertaken in which 95 centers were invited to participate. Of the 95 centers which originally treated schizophrenic patients with detoxification and which were asked to send data on these patients to the Registry of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, 39 centers replied (35 from Europe and four from the United States). From the 100 patients reported on in Europe, 17 were reported to be very much improved and 22 to be improved. Of the patients from the United States, 86% were reported as improved. No subgroup of responders could be identified, and differences between centers concerning nosological subgroups, treatment methods, and results were so great that no real comparison was possible. Although data from this survey are not totally conclusive, in connection with the updated literature they do not encourage further research in this treatment of schizophrenia.