Recovery from schizophrenia: Results from a 1-year follow-up observational study of patients in symptomatic remission

Abstract

Objectives This report presents the results of an observational empirical clinical investigation about the prevalence and correlates of a proposed definition of recovery from schizophrenia in outpatients in Spain. Methods Of 1010 outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR), a subgroup of 452 patients in symptomatic remission (SR) was followed for 1 year. SR was defined according to Andreasen's severity criteria based on the Scales for the Assessment of Positive (SAPS) and Negative (SANS) Symptoms. A Global Assessment of Functioning scale score of > 80 was considered to be indicative of adequate functioning (AF). Correlates of recovery were identified by logistic regression. Results At baseline, 103 (22.8%; N = 452) patients fulfilled the recovery definition (SR + AF). After 1 year, 338 patients (89.9%; N = 376) maintained SR. Among these, the proportion of patients in recovery increased to 27.1% (102 out of 376). Better premorbid adjustment (PA) and improved social cognition correlated with recovery at baseline. After 1 year, PA, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), type of pharmacotherapy, attitudes toward medication, and variation of depressive symptoms and social cognition determined the likelihood of recovery. Conclusions The proportion of patients in recovery increased among those fulfilling SR criteria. After 1 year, in addition to known factors like shorter DUP and better PA, social cognitive abilities and depressive symptoms were found to correlate with recovery.