The relationship of catatonia symptoms to symptoms of schizophrenia

Objective: To evaluate the relationships of symptoms of catatonic schizophr enia to 77 symptoms relevant for diagnosing schizophrenia and to socioanamn estic variables. Method: Data from a sample of 112 Canadian patients diagnosed with schizoph renia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder s (DSM-III) were evaluated via phi correlation coefficients. Results: Forty-five (40.2%) of our 112 patients had catatonic symptoms, eit her at the time of this study or in the past. However, only weak correlatio ns (phi < 0.31) to other symptoms relevant for diagnosing schizophrenia wer e found, and no significant correlations to socioanamnestic variables were found. Conclusion: Symptoms of catatonia appear to be independent of the key sympt oms of schizophrenia.