Nature and course of disability in schizophrenia.

Sixty eight Feighner positive schizophrenic patients were followed up prospectively for a period of six years using standardized instruments. Disability was assessed in this sample using the Schedule for the Assessment of Psychiatric Disability at the end of 4, 5 and 6 years of follow up. It was found that the three year course of disability tended to be stable and fluctuations were minimal. Disability did not seem to be related to relapses. The implications of these findings in planning intervention programs for chronic schizophrenic patients are discussed.