Long-term outcome of schizoaffective and schizophrenic disorders: a comparative study. II. Causal-analytical investigations.

The influence of symptomatological and non-symptomatological factors on the long-term outcome of schizoaffective and schizophrenic disorders was investigated using the Analysis of Linear Structural Relationships (LISREL). The outcome was assessed employing the GAS, WHO/DAS, PIRS and the Bonn Criteria of Outcome. The analysis produced some interesting results in both groups, separately and in comparison with each other. The most striking difference between the two disorders concerns the finding that only symptomatological parameters directly influence the long-term outcome of schizoaffective disorders - melancholic episodes are correlated with favourable outcome, symptoms typical of schizophrenia with a relatively unfavourable outcome. Both symptomatological parameters (such as schizophrenic first-rank symptoms during course) and non-symptomatological parameters (such as life events or acuteness of onset) have a direct impact on the outcome. It was also found that "simple" depressive symptomatology (the presence of depressive symptoms not fulfilling the criteria of melancholic episodes according to DSM-III-R) has no influence on the long-term outcome of schizophrenia.