The impact of relapses in acute schizophrenia's clinical outcome: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

IntroductionRecent studies suggest that most of schizophrenia's first-episode patients have the potential for long-term remission. Conversely, some meta-analysis estimate the actual median recovery rate to be 13.5% [1]. Relapses may contribute to the emergence of increased morbidity and treatment resistance.ObjectivesTo evaluate possible relationships between the numbers of previous admissions, years of diagnosed disease and hospitalization length.MethodsA cross-sectional retrospective study on all patients (n = 202, 150 men and 52 women) admitted at an acute inpatient unit throughout the year of 2015, diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-9, 295). Collection of socio-demographic data, number of previous admissions (PA), years of diagnosed disease (YDD) and hospitalization length (HL). Descriptive statistical analysis, Spearman rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsOverall, the sample's mean age was 44.3 years old (std 12.7), being lower in men (42.5 versus 49.7). The average of admissions was 1.2 per year. PA and YDD were significantly associated (P < 0.0001). Contrarily, there was no statistical association between the number of PA and HL (P > 0.1), as well as between YDD and HL (P > 0.1) was found.ConclusionThis study provides additional evidence for schizophrenia's early onset in men. There seems to be no association between relapses and treatment resistance, considering PA, YDD and HL as valuable soft outcomes. Future understanding of relapses’ pathophysiological mechanisms is warranted in order to explain schizophrenia's low median recovery rate.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.