Functional deterioration in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum personality symptoms

Although previous studies have noted functional deterioration in patients w ith severe schizotypal symptoms who meet criteria for schizotypal personali ty disorder, we are not aware of any study which examines level of function ing in nonpatients who experience mild schizophrenia spectrum personality ( SSP) symptoms. With this issue in mind, occupational functioning was examin ed in non-patient subjects with mild SSP symptoms. Patients were recruited from the community by newspaper advertisements or from the first-degree rel atives of patients with schizophrenia. Individuals with no DSM-IIIR Axis I diagnosis and with SSP symptoms (n = 60) and without symptoms (n = 75) part icipated in the study, The two groups had similar mean age and years of edu cation, Occupational function was evaluated using the Level of Function Sca le. The SSP patients with mild symptoms had significantly lower occupationa l scores (5.62 + 2.50) than the non-SSP patients (7.76 + 0.69: p < 0.001). A total of 39% of SSP patients, compared with 3% of non-SSP patients showed poor occupational functioning (chi2 = 31, df = 1, p < 0.001). There was a significant deterioration in the socioeconomic status in SSP patients compa red with their parents' status. Patients with mild SSP symptoms who were ot herwise healthy showed severe difficulties with occupational function. Furt her research is needed to identify subtle deficits underlying functional de terioration and to develop targets for treatment strategies.