Political change and course of schizophrenia in East Germany, 1984-1994

Background: We tested the hypothesis that the political change occurring in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 affected p atients with long-term schizophrenia, resulting in more and longer hospital isations. Methods: In two samples in East Germany (120 patients in East Ber lin, 70 patients in Chemnitz) and in a control group from West Berlin (40 p atients), hospitalisations for each month between November 1984 and October 1994 were assessed. Each sample included all schizophrenia patients who we re in continuous treatment in the given community mental health centre thro ughout the full observation period. Results: Hospitalisation indices were n ot higher after November 1989 than before in any of the groups. Conclusions : There is no evidence that political change in East Ger-many negatively af fected the course of longterm schizophrenia as assessed by hospitalisations . If consistent medical care is provided, characteristics of the political system may have less impact on the course of schizophrenia than is sometime s assumed.