DYNAMICS ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

The aim of the study. To determine the dynamics of the psychopathological structure and severity of negative symptoms depending on the stage of the disease in patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with schizophrenia.
 Materials and methods: 252 patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia took part in the study: 83 patients with the first episode of schizophrenia, 88 patients with schizophrenia in a state of exacerbation, and 81 patients with schizophrenia in a state of remission. A comprehensive approach, which consisted from clinical-psychopathological, psychometric (Scale for Evaluating Negative Disorders, G.V. Logvinovych, 1990) and statistical research methods, were used in the study.
 Results. Features of the dynamics of negative symptoms in patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia at different stages of the disease were established: patients with the first episode of schizophrenia were characterized by mild quantitative and qualitative impairments in the emotional sphere, slight quantitative and qualitative changes in the associative sphere, and mild quantitative impairments in the volitional sphere in combination with moderate qualitative changes in the volitional sphere. Patients with schizophrenia in a state of exacerbation were characterized by moderate quantitative impairments of the emotional sphere and manifested distortion of the emotional sphere, manifested quantitative and qualitative impairments in the associative sphere and minor quantitative and qualitative impairments of the volitional sphere. Patients with schizophrenia in a state of remission were characterized by moderate and manifested quantitative and qualitative impairments in the emotional-volitional sphere and moderate quantitative and qualitative impairments in the associative sphere.
 Conclusions. The obtained data can be used to establish diagnostic criteria for patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia, depending on the dynamics of the disease.