Positive and negative symptoms in patients of schizophrenia: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Analysis of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia has been increasingly needed for a systematic management plan. Unfortunately, this type of study was lacking in Bangladesh. Aims: The study aims were to find out the predominant symptom pattern and associating factors in schizophrenia. Methods: This was a cross sectional, analytical and descriptive study done in a tertiary care hospital with a sample size of 78. The SCID-I and pre designed socio demographic questionnaire was applied. Positive and negative symptoms were assessed by using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Statistical analysis was done through SPSS version 17. Results: Among 78 patients, schizophrenics with positive symptoms (57.7%) were predominant over schizophrenics with negative symptoms (42.3%). Delusion (64.1%) and blunted affect (55.1%) were the most frequent positive and negative symptoms respectively. Negative symptoms were significantly associated with poverty, unemployment and lack of education. Limitations: Single centered cross sectional study with small sample size. Conclusions: Schizophrenic patients with positive symptoms visit clinicians more readily than those with negative symptoms.