PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

This paper describes a prospective study of the relationship between n on-psychotic prodromal symptoms and psychotic symptoms in 55 schizophr enic (DSM-III-R) out-patients. Once a month, a number of non-psychotic symptoms generally regarded as prodromal symptoms in schizophrenia we re assessed, as well as psychotic symptoms, with standardised self-adm inistered instruments and rating scales for a minimum of 12 months (ra nge 12-29). The data were analysed for each patient using a longitudin al correlational design with a 1-month lag between the prodromal and p sychotic symptoms over the total period. Results showed that in less t han one-fifth of subjects did any of the prodromal symptoms, individua lly or in combination, show a significantly positive correlation with the subsequent level of psychotic symptoms. Such relationships were si gnificant in an even smaller proportion of subjects when the confoundi ng effect of concurrent psychotic symptoms on prodromal symptoms was p artialled out. High levels of prodromal symptoms appeared to have adeq uate specificity but low sensitivity in their power to predict high le vels of subsequent psychotic symptoms. There were no differences in ag e, gender, medication levels, and the number of previous admissions be tween the subjects who did or did not show a relationship between puta tive prodromal symptoms and psychotic symptoms.