Current social functioning in adult-onset schizophrenia and its relation with positive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: In schizophrenia, relation exists between psychopathology and social functioning. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Determining relationship of positive symptoms with current social functioning in adult-onset (≥19 years) schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty schizophrenia patients [ICD-10-DCR], of both sexes (18-60 years), on follow-up for ≥6 months, with no change of diagnosis and without co-morbidities, having onset of illness ≥19 years of age, accompanied by informants having contact with the patient for a period of >12 months prior the first psychiatric contact or symptom onset were assessed with SCARF- Social Functioning Index and SAPS. RESULTS: Family role, occupational role, and other social role have negative correlation with all positive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Current social functioning has significant negative correlation with concurrent positive symptoms.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in psychiatric disorders: Prevalence, correlates and clinical significance.

This study examined the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness, as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), in a cohort of adult psychiatric patients. A total of 300 psychiatric outpatients and an additional 300 healthy controls completed the ESS. Excessive sleepiness was defined by a score of > or =10. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was higher in the psychiatric group (34%) than the control group (27%), and the mean ESS score was also significantly higher in the psychiatric group. The prevalence of excessive sleepiness was higher for female psychiatric patients, but this pattern was not found in the control group. Surprisingly, there was no difference in ESS score between patients taking antipsychotic medication and those not taking antipsychotic medication. The data suggest that excessive daytime sleepiness is a significant issue in general adult psychiatry, but this must be interpreted against a relatively high prevalence in the normal population.

A Preliminary Study of Rehabilitation Needs of In-patients and Out-patients with Schizophrenia.

Assessment of needs of patients with schizophrenia permits practitioners to prioritize, formulate and implement rehabilitation goals. Negative symptoms have been shown to present greater obstacles to effective rehabilitation. The study compared the rehabilitation needs of in and out-patients with schizophrenia, and its relationship with negative symptoms. Thirty each of out patients and short term in-patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were recruited for the study. Patients currently exhibiting severe unmanageable psychoses and depression were excluded. Tools used for the study were DSM-IV-TR, Rehabilitation Needs Assessment Schedule, SANS, HDRS, BPRS, and UKU. Significant difference across the groups were observed as far as needs regarding requirement of help from a voluntary agency, employment, accommodation, leisure activities and help for family was concerned. Moreover, negative symptoms significantly correlated with rehabilitation needs among both groups of patients. The study also elicited family's expectations of their patients regarding their rehabilitation needs. Further, the implications of the association between some negative symptoms and the felt needs of the patients in their rehabilitation were discussed. A full spectrum of functional behaviours needs to be assessed soon after patients recover from their most recent exacerbation and suitable interventions need to be planned.