Symptomatic and general functioning in schizophrenic patients: five years follow up at outpatient department

ABSTRACT

To compare the level of global assessment of functioning and scores on PANSS of schizophrenic patients with 5years follow up. Descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at department of Psychiatry Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from March 2007 to May 2012. A sample of 44 patients diagnosed as schizophrenics were included through consecutive sampling. All patients were enrolled in SMI [i.e. Severe Mental Illness] they came for regular assessment once in a month. All patients were assessed on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] and Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] at baseline and at five years follow up. Statistically significant difference was found between scores of PANSS and GAF at baseline and follow up. We concluded from our study that there is negative correlation between the score on PANSS and the level of GAF at baseline as well as at five years follow up