FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COURSE AND OUTCOME OF SCHIZOPHRENIA A MULTICENTRED FOLLOW-UP STUDY : RESULT OF FIVE YEAR FOLLOW-UP

This paper describes the results of a five year follow up study on factors associated with the course and outcome of schizophrenia conducted in 3 centers (Lucknow, Madras and Vellore) under the auspices of the Indian Council of Medical Research. 386 patients who satisfied well defined criteria of diagnosis and inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied. All patients were regularly followed up. 287 patients had complete follow up after 5 years. After 2 years, most of the active symptoms had subsided. At 5 year follow up, about 67% of the patients showed good outcome. Regular drug compliance, short duration of illness, absence of economic difficulties, absence of dangerous behaviour and delusions of presecution at intake; presence of agitation at intake; acute onset, absence of schizoid traits in personality, low level of education, rural background and lower age of onset were significantly related to good outcome. A combination of 8 factors could correctly predict the outcome in 80% of patients. The implications of the above findings are discussed.