Objective: Performance IQ (PIQ) is often lower than verbal IQ (VIQ) in schi
zophrenic patients. Whether PIQ < VIQ precedes psychotic symptoms in schizo
phrenia remains uncertain.
Method: We investigated premorbid IQ scores in 63 subjects assessed at a ch
ild and adolescent psychiatric unit (mean age 13.1 years, SD 3.2), who at f
ollow-up in adulthood (mean age 30.9 years, SD 3.9) received a lifetime RDC
diagnosis of schizophrenia-related psychosis, affective disorder, or no ps
ychiatric disorder.
Results: Premorbid PIQ < VIQ significantly differentiated the groups with s
chizophrenia-related psychosis and no psychiatric disorder. Subjects with s
chizophrenia-related psychosis had a significantly lower mean value for pre
morbid PIQ, but not VIQ, compared to subjects who developed affective disor
der or subjects without psychiatric disorder.
Conclusion: Our results emphasize premorbid intellectual deficits in schizo
phrenia. Those deficits might largely be in consequence of an impairment on
the PIQ scale.