Slow-wave sleep deficits and outcome in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Schizophrenia is associated with altered sleep architecture, particularly in regard to delta sleep. We examined the relation between the baseline polysomnographic measures in schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients and psychosocial outcome as measured by the Strauss & Carpenter scale at 1 (n = 20) and 2 (n = 7) years. The percentages of delta sleep at baseline were significantly correlated with total outcome scores at 1 and at 2 years. These preliminary findings suggest that delta sleep deficits may be associated with relatively poor outcome in this disorder.