THE 15-YEAR OUTCOME OF CHINESE PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA IN HONG-KONG

Objective: To explore the differential outcome of schizophrenia in dev eloped and developing countries. The 15-year outcome of patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong is reported. Method: In a 15-year retrospec tive outcome study, 100 patients with first-onset schizophrenia in 197 7-1978 were randomly selected for outcome assessment from a pool of 79 7 patient files. The patterns of outcome were assessed by the same set of instruments and methodology as in other centres, since Hong Kong i s 1 of the World Health Organization (WHO) centres for the Internation al Study of Schizophrenia (ISoS). Results: Nineteen subjects were untr aceable, and 10 subjects committed suicide. More than one-half of the subjects had a good symptomatic outcome, while about 20% of the subjec ts were rated as having a good psychosocial adjustment. Over the entir e 15-year period, 96% of the subjects were maintained on medications, and 79% were living with family members. Conclusion: Despite Hong Kong 's developed economy, its schizophrenia outcome is similar to that in developing countries. The existence of good family support and active follow-up treatment may be important contributory factors to better ou tcome.