Cantabria first-episode schizophrenia study: three-year follow-up

Background We present the findings from the three-year follow-up of all fir st episodes of schizophrenia occurring during a two-year period in Cantabri a (in Spain). Aims (a)To describe the clinical characteristics of the illness from the ea rly stages of the disease, and (b) to study the long-term psychosocial adju stment and psychopathological evolution of these patients, identifying pred ictors for the course of the illness. Method Of the original cohort of 86 patients, 76 (88.3%) were fully evaluat ed at three-year follow-up. Psychiatric assessment was performed (PSE-9 and SANS/SAPS). Social adjustment was evaluated using the Disability Assessmen t Schedule (DAS). Information regarding the clinical evolution and use of h ealth resources was also gathered. Results The majority of patients with a first-contact diagnosis of schizoph renia failed to meet the criteria for a CATEGO diagnosis at follow-up. The SANS/SAPS assessments revealed a doubling in the proportion of patients wit h 'negative schizophrenia'. The pattern of clinical course was also evaluat ed, with 24 (31.5%) of the patients having a good outcome. Being male and h aving tow social class tended to be associated with poor clinical outcome. Conclusions The outcome of schizophrenia is less pessimistic than was origi nally thought. Declaration of interest Funding provided by the Spanish institute of Health .