OBJECTIVE: The prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcome of the deficit syndrome were determined for 70 patients ascertained in their first episode of schizophrenia and then followed through their recovery. METHODS: Patients were treated in a standardized manner and underwent baseline assessments of symptoms and adverse effects that were repeated at intervals throughout their inpatient and subsequent outpatient course. Forty-seven patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after remission of their positive symptoms, allowing for an assessment of their deficit syndrome status. RESULTS: Using modified criteria of Carpenter et al. for the deficit syndrome, the authors found that two patients (4%) met all criteria for the deficit syndrome, nine (19%) had deficit symptoms (questionable deficit state), and 36 (77%) had no deficit symptoms. When patients who had not fully remitted or had remitted for less than 6 months were included, seven (10%) met deficit syndrome criteria, 11 (16%) had deficit symptoms, and 52 (74%) had no deficit symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the deficit syndrome in first-episode schizophrenia varies depending on the criteria used and is lower than that previously described in more chronic patient samples. Patients without deficit symptoms had better premorbid functioning and a better global outcome than patients with deficit symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: The prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcome of the deficit syndrome were determined for 70 patients ascertained in their first episode of schizophrenia and then followed through their recovery. METHODS:Patients were treated in a standardized manner and underwent baseline assessments of symptoms and adverse effects that were repeated at intervals throughout their inpatient and subsequent outpatient course. Forty-seven patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after remission of their positive symptoms, allowing for an assessment of their deficit syndrome status. RESULTS: Using modified criteria of Carpenter et al. for the deficit syndrome, the authors found that two patients (4%) met all criteria for the deficit syndrome, nine (19%) had deficit symptoms (questionable deficit state), and 36 (77%) had no deficit symptoms. When patients who had not fully remitted or had remitted for less than 6 months were included, seven (10%) met deficit syndrome criteria, 11 (16%) had deficit symptoms, and 52 (74%) had no deficit symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the deficit syndrome in first-episode schizophrenia varies depending on the criteria used and is lower than that previously described in more chronic patient samples. Patients without deficit symptoms had better premorbid functioning and a better global outcome than patients with deficit symptoms.
Authors: Hans-Jürgen Möller; Markus Jäger; Michael Riedel; Michael Obermeier; Anton Strauss; Ronald Bottlender Journal: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2010-05-22 Impact factor: 5.270
Authors: Evan J Waldheter; David L Penn; Diana O Perkins; Kim T Mueser; Leanne Whaley Owens; Elizabeth Cook Journal: Community Ment Health J Date: 2008-05-31
Authors: Raymond C K Chan; Fu-Lei Geng; Simon S Y Lui; Ya Wang; Karen K Y Ho; Karen S Y Hung; Raquel E Gur; Ruben C Gur; Eric F C Cheung Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2015-06-08 Impact factor: 4.379