SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF RELATIVES REPORTS ON THE EARLY COURSE OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Within the ABC Schizophrenia Study, a large-scale investigation of the influences of age and gender on schizophrenia, the retrospective repo rts on emerging psycho-pathology during the early course of schizophre nia given by 171 post-psychotic patients and their significant others were compared in a representative first-admission sample by means of t he Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset and Early C ourse of Schizophrenia. High agreement (kappa) between patients and re latives was found for substance abuse, suicidal behaviour, parental an d marital role deficits, and paranoid delusions. Low positive agreemen t rates (sensitivity) were seen for perceptual and formal thought diso rders. Low negative agreement rates (specificity) were found for depre ssion, anxiety, and similar 'unspecific' symptoms. Relatives' reports are helpful but should be used with caution.