BACKGROUND: Depression in schizophrenia is a rather neglected field of study, perhaps because of its confused nosological status. Three course patterns of depression in schizophrenia, including post-psychotic depression (PPD), are proposed. AIMS: We chart the ontogeny of depression and psychotic symptoms from the acute psychotic episode over a 12-month period and test the validity of the proposed course patterns. METHOD: One hundred and five patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia were followed up on five occasions over 12 months following the acute episode, taking measures of depression, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, neuroleptic exposure and side-effects. RESULTS: Depression accompanied acute psychosis in 70% of cases and remitted in line with the psychosis; 36% developed PPD without a concomitant increase in psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided support for the validity of two of the three course patterns of depression in schizophrenia, including PPD. Post-psychotic depression occurs de novo without concomitant change in positive or negative symptoms.
BACKGROUND:Depression in schizophrenia is a rather neglected field of study, perhaps because of its confused nosological status. Three course patterns of depression in schizophrenia, including post-psychotic depression (PPD), are proposed. AIMS: We chart the ontogeny of depression and psychotic symptoms from the acute psychotic episode over a 12-month period and test the validity of the proposed course patterns. METHOD: One hundred and five patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia were followed up on five occasions over 12 months following the acute episode, taking measures of depression, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, neuroleptic exposure and side-effects. RESULTS:Depression accompanied acute psychosis in 70% of cases and remitted in line with the psychosis; 36% developed PPD without a concomitant increase in psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided support for the validity of two of the three course patterns of depression in schizophrenia, including PPD. Post-psychotic depression occurs de novo without concomitant change in positive or negative symptoms.
Authors: Peter F Buckley; Donna A Wirshing; Prameet Bhushan; Joseph M Pierre; Seth A Resnick; William C Wirshing Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2007 Impact factor: 5.749
Authors: J Contreras; L Hare; B Camarena; D Glahn; A Dassori; R Medina; S Contreras; M Ramirez; R Armas; R Munoz; R Mendoza; H Raventos; A Ontiveros; H Nicolini; R Palmer; M Escamilla Journal: Acta Psychiatr Scand Date: 2008-11-11 Impact factor: 6.392