POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOM COURSE IN CHRONIC COMMUNITY-BASED PATIENTS - A 2-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Background. The long-term symptom profile of chronic out-patients was studied.Method. 242 out-patients receiving neuroleptic medications (10 9 with schizophrenia and 133 non-schizophrenics), were studied for pos itive (SAPS) and negative (SANS) symptoms at baseline and at 24 months to investigate whether these symptom groups changed over outpatient m aintenance treatment. Results. Overall and within groups, negative sym ptoms decreased and positive symptoms increased. While the sums of the SANS scores for the schizophrenic patients were initially higher, the ir mean SANS score dropped more over time (P < 0.001), to show no diff erence from non-schizophrenics at follow-up. Positive symptoms increas ed in both groups, although schizophrenics were higher at both times; sub-scales within the SANS showed different patterns of change. Conclu sion. Support is found for a multidimensional view of both positive an d negative symptoms and for a reconsideration of the notion of 'progre ssive downward course' in schizophrenia.