Predictors of outcome in first-episode schizophrenia over the first 4 years of illness.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of schizophrenia appears to be more favourable than once thought. However, methodological issues, including the reliance on diagnosis at first presentation have limited the validity of outcome studies to date. METHOD: We conducted a first-episode follow-up study of 97 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia over the first 4 years of illness. First presentation and follow-up assessments were compared using paired t tests and a forced-entry regression analysis was used to determine prognostic variables. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms and global assessment of functioning between first presentation and follow-up. At first presentation, fewer negative symptoms (t=-3.40, p<0.01), more years spent in education (t=3.25, p<0.01), and a shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) (t=-2.77, p<0.01) significantly predicted a better outcome at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of schizophrenia may not be as pessimistic as once thought and most patients did not display a downward deteriorating course of illness. This study supports the relationship between DUP and outcome beyond the early stages of illness.

Early insight predicts depression and attempted suicide after 4 years in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To map the development of insight in the 4 years after presentation with first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder and to determine the effects of evolving insight on depression and the likelihood of attempted suicide. METHOD: We assessed 101 individuals at presentation, 6 months and 4 years. We measured insight, including recognition of mental illness, recognition of need for treatment and ability to relabel psychotic symptoms. We measured depression and recorded all suicide attempts. RESULTS: Insight improved with time. Recognition of mental illness at 6 months predicted depression and attempted suicide at 4 years. CONCLUSION: Six months after presentation, the greater the acknowledgement by people that they had a mental illness, the more depressed they were at 4 years and the greater the likelihood that they would attempt suicide by 4 years. This may have implications for disclosure of diagnosis.

Clinical predictors of admission status in first episode schizophrenia.

Having a diagnosis of schizophrenia is a risk factor for involuntary admission to psychiatric inpatient care, but we have a limited understanding of why some patients and not others require involuntary admission. We aimed to identify the predictors of involuntary admission in first episode schizophrenia. We used validated instruments to assess clinical and socio-demographic variables in all patients (n = 78) with first episode schizophrenia from a defined geographical area admitted to a Dublin psychiatric hospital over a 4-year period. Involuntary patients (n = 17) could not be distinguished from voluntary patients (n = 61) on the basis of age, gender, living status, marital status, drug abuse or duration of untreated psychosis. Neither positive nor negative symptoms were useful predictors of admission status. Lack of insight was a strong predictor of involuntary status.

Prospective evaluation of neurological soft signs in first-episode schizophrenia in relation to psychopathology: state versus trait phenomena.

BACKGROUND: Although patients with schizophrenia have increased rates of neurological soft signs, few studies have examined prospectively their trait or state characteristics in relation to psychopathology. METHOD: In a prospective study of 97 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) we assessed neurological soft signs and psychopathology at presentation and at 6 month follow-up for 73 cases. To establish whether soft signs were associated with variations in clinical state, neurological soft signs were measured using two validated examinations (Neurological Evaluation Scale and Condensed Neurological Examination); psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in overall neurological function, primarily in motor-related and cortical signs, which were associated with improvement in psychopathology. Conversely, 'harder' signs were unrelated to improvement in psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological soft signs in schizophrenia are heterogenous. Motor and cortical signs evidence state-like characteristics and vary with clinical course, while 'harder' signs evidence more static, trait-like characteristics in accordance with a neurodevelopmental basis.

Single road traffic deaths--accident or suicide?

Many authors have suggested that some deaths resulting from road traffic accidents are in fact suicide. The purpose of this study was to examine the circumstances of single road traffic deaths in County Mayo, Ireland, over the 15-year period from 1978 to 1992 inclusive. Using the information available from the coroners' files, evidence was sought to support the hypothesis that some accidental deaths may have been disguised suicides. The authors could find no conclusive evidence to suggest that this hypothesis was true. However, there was suspicion of suicide in six (4.5%) of the 134 fatalities examined. Interesting data regarding gender differences, seasonality, time of accident, and the consumption of alcohol were found.