Comparison of Neurological Soft Signs between Psychotic and Non Psychotic Patients.

Abstract

Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) are a group of non-specific signs manifested in some psychiatric patients. Till date, most studies have focused on NSS in schizophrenic patients. In the current study, the mean NSS score was compared between psychotic and non psychotic patients. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 96 hospitalized patients having psychotic disorders. The patients were first examined by a psychiatrist and their axis I diagnoses (according to DSM-IV-TR) were made. Accordingly, the patients were divided into three groups of psychotic (schizophrenic and schizoaffective) and bipolar disorder patients with and without psychotic symptoms. Using a 28-item questionnaire, the patients were neurologically examined and their NNS scores were calculated. The mean scores were compared among the groups. Based on the results, the mean NSS score in psychotic patients (schizophrenic and schizoaffective) was higher as compared to that in non-psychotic patients (bipolar disorder patients without psychotic symptoms) and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001). It seems that calculation of NSS score in psychotic patients can help predict the response to pharmaceutical treatment, risk of drug reactions/side effects and prognosis of disease. Drawing a definite conclusion in this regard requires further investigations.