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Is modern-day schizophrenic outcome still negative?
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|October 1, 1978
Summary
Modern schizophrenia treatment shows limited success, with most patients experiencing poor adjustment and high relapse rates. While outcomes are better than in the past, schizophrenia still carries a negative prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Schizophrenia treatment aims for improved patient outcomes.
- Assessing long-term functional recovery in schizophrenic patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment formulations for positive outcomes in schizophrenic patients.
- To assess functional adjustment and relapse rates post-hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 132 young patients 2.7 years after hospital discharge.
- Comparison of functioning between schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic patient groups.
- Analysis of outcomes across different schizophrenia subgroups (schizo-affective, acute, paranoid, chronic).
Main Results:
- Only 14%-17% of schizophrenic patients functioned effectively without relapse.
- 50% of schizophrenic patients exhibited very poor adjustment.
- Schizophrenic patients showed significantly poorer functioning, higher symptoms, and rehospitalization rates compared to non-schizophrenic patients (p < .01).
- Acute and schizo-affective subgroups had better outcomes than paranoid and chronic schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosis significantly impacts prognosis in schizophrenia.
- While schizophrenia outcomes have improved since Bleuler and Kraepelin's era, they remain largely negative.
- Modern treatment strategies require further development to enhance patient recovery and long-term functioning.
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