Twenty-five years of schizophrenia: The Madras longitudinal study

AIM: To determine the 25 year follow-up of subjects originally enrolled in the Study of factors associated with course and outcome of schizophrenia (SOFACOS) at Chennai. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All subjects who were followed up were administered the same research tools which were done at inclusion, namely the PSE & PPHS. RESULTS: At the end of 25 years, 47 of the original ninety subjects were assessed completely. Twenty five (26%) had died and 18 (20%) were lost to follow-up during the 25 year period. 32 of the 47 followed up were in partial or total remission. Outcome was good in 27.7%, intermediate in 52% and poor in 19%. More men were single and more women were either married or separated. Gender differences were not marked. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few prospective, long term follow up studies from India. Although outcome was good in those followed up, the numbers who died and could not be followed up causes concern.