Psychopathological and social status of patients with affective, schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorders after long-term course.

A total of 106 affective, 101 schizoaffective and 148 schizophrenic disorders were investigated after a long-term course of illness (mean follow-up period 25.1 years), employing narrow definitions and using reliable international instruments of evaluation. In addition, the social consequences of the illness were evaluated (upward and downward social and occupational drift, premature retirement and achievement of the expected social development). Considering all aspects of outcome, schizophrenic patients (narrow defined, slightly modified DSM-III criteria) had persistent alterations in several aspects of social life, communication and cognitive functions, in some cases to a very high degree. Although the outcome of affective disorders is not always favourable, it is significantly more favourable than that of schizophrenia. Schizoaffective disorders occupy a position between affective and schizophrenic disorders regarding outcome, but with more similarities to that of affective than to that of schizophrenic disorders.