CHARACTERISTICS OF OUTCOME IN SCHIZOPHRENIA AT 13 YEARS

Background. This paper describes the 13-year outcome of an epidemiolog ically defined and representative cohort of patients selected when the y were experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Method. In a 18-year follow-up study of a cohort identified in Nottingham in 1978- 80, the outcome (symptoms, disability, residence and treatment) was as sessed using standardised instruments. Results. Four of the original 6 7 patients with ICD-9 schizophrenia were lost to follow-up and five we re dead: 52% were without psychotic symptoms in the last two years of follow-up, 52% were without negative symptoms and 55% showed good/fair social functioning. However, only 17% were alive at follow-up, withou t symptoms and disability, and receiving no treatment. Conclusions. Th e findings reported are similar to those of other long-term follow-up studies of schizophrenia and also to 5-year follow-up studies. Kraepel in's emphasis on the longitudinal implications of a diagnosis of schiz ophrenia are supported, but may be over-pessimistic.