SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC SYNDROMES IN RELATION TO AGE, SEX, DURATIONOF ILLNESS AND NUMBER OF PREVIOUS HOSPITALIZATIONS

In studies by means of the Swedish version of the Positive and Negativ e Syndrome Scale, we have demonstrated a 5-factor model of schizophren ia, including positive, negative, excited, anxious/depressive and cogn itive factors. In this study, the 5 factors were correlated with backg round factors in a series comprising 140 patients with schizophrenic s yndromes. None of the 5 factors revealed any significant age or sex di fferences. The positive factor correlated positively with the number o f previous hospitalizations and the negative factor correlated negativ ely. The excited factor correlated negatively with age at onset, age a t first hospitalization and positively with the duration of the illnes s and the number of previous hospitalizations. The cognitive factor co rrelated negatively with age at onset and age at first hospitalization and positively with the duration of the illness. Age at onset was pos itively correlated with delusions, excitement, unusual thought content and poor impulse control and negatively with lack of spontaneity. The duration of illness correlated positively with excitement, difficulty in abstract thinking and mannerisms. The number of previous hospitali zations correlated positively with delusions, excitement, unusual thou ght content and poor impulse control and significant negative correlat ions were demonstrated as concerns blunted affect and lack of spontane ity.