Prediction of long-term outcome from presenting symptoms in schizophrenia

The relationship between presenting psychopathological features and long-term outcome, in an incidence by first admission group of 43 schizophrenic patients from northern Alberta, followed up 14 years later, is examined. The symptoms examined for predictive ability were those on the New Haven Schizophrenia Index. Outcome was assessed on scales reflecting economic, social and psychiatric adjustment, summed for a combined score. Multiple regression analyses of the presenting NHSI symptoms to the outcome measures showed correlations of .60-.66, thus explaining statistically about 40% of the outcome variance.