EPA-0457 – The clinical evolution of schizophrenia: a retrospective study after 25 years

Abstract

Schizophrenia represents one of the pathologies that are studied extensively in the field of psychiatry, from different perspectives: genetic, psychopathological, clinical and therapeutic. From a longitudinal perspective, the clinical evolution and global functioning of the person are highly significant. The majority of clinical studies are cross-sectional, with a decreased frequency of longitudinal studies. Although the latter types of studies are more expensive, they are able to provide a higher quality of information. Objectives The analysis of the clinical outcome of a sample of subjects with schizophrenia, after 25 years of evolution. Aim . Highlighting some clinical and socio-demographic aspects that might play a role in the heterogeneity of the actual clinical status. Methodology The study sample includes 50 subjects, admitted for the first time in the Psychiatric Clinic of Timisoara during 1985–1987, who were diagnosed with schizophrenia at onset and currently have the same diagnosis (2012). The following parameters were analysed: sociodemographic (gender, age at onset, education, family and professional status) and clinical (type of onset, symptomatology, number of admissions). Results The onset was insidious in the majority of cases. There were statistically significant differences between the types of symptoms at onset and the actual clinical status. Conclusions The clinical outcome in schizophrenia can vary significantly among patients, even if the diagnosis remains stable over time.