THE SUFFOLK COUNTY MENTAL-HEALTH PROJECT - DEMOGRAPHIC, PREMORBID ANDCLINICAL CORRELATES OF 6-MONTH OUTCOME

The diagnostic specificity and predictive utility of the classical pro gnostic indicators in schizophrenia were examined in psychotic patient s enrolled in the Suffolk County Mental Health Project. First-admissio n psychotic patients with schizophrenia (N = 96), major depression (N = 42), and bipolar disorder (N = 64) drawn from 10 facilities in Suffo lk County, New York, were assessed during their initial hospitalizatio n and at 6-month follow-up. Longitudinal consensus diagnoses were dete rmined after the 6-month interview. The diagnostic groups shared simil ar background characteristics, but schizophrenics had poorer pre-morbi d adjustment, longer periods of psychosis before hospitalization and m ore negative symptoms initially. Except for rehospitalization, schizop hrenics had the worst and bipolars the best functioning at follow-up. Among the classical prognostic indicators, the best predictor of 6-mon th outcome for each diagnostic group was premorbid functioning.