The deficit syndrome in schizophrenic and nonschizophrenic patients: preliminary studies

One hundred and eighty-seven patients suffering from DSM-III-R schizophrenia, schizoaffective, schizophreniform (psychotic group), unipolar, bipolar and other disorders were interviewed 5 years after discharge. Deficiencies were assessed by means of the Schedule for Deficit Syndrome (SDS) and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Binocular thresholds for discomfort to high luminances (TDHL) were assessed in 17 patients with a deficit syndrome. Results suggest that patients with psychotic disorders are in a high-risk group for deficit syndrome. Nevertheless, 9-28% and 9-30% of the 'nonpsychotic' group according to the SANS and the SDS, respectively, showed primary enduring negative symptoms. A positive correlation between the SANS total score and TDHL (r = 0.81) was found. These results suggest the nonspecificity of primary enduring negative syndromes. Furthermore preliminary data indicate a possible link between light sensitivity and the deficit syndrome, independently of diagnoses.