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Cantabria First-Episode Schizophrenia Study: three-year follow-up

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

José L. Vázquez-Barquero ,
Maria J. Cuesta ,
Sara Herrera Castanedo ,
Ismael Lastra ,
Andrés Herrán  and
Graham Dunn
José L. Vázquez-Barquero*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Clinical and Social Psychiatry Research Unit, University Hospital ‘Marqués de Valdecilla’, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Maria J. Cuesta
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital ‘Marqués de Valdecilla’, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Sara Herrera Castanedo
Affiliation:
Clinical and Social Psychiatry Research Unit, University Hospital ‘Marqués de Valdecilla’, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Ismael Lastra
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital ‘Padre Menni’, Santander, Spain
Andrés Herrán
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Clinical and Social Psychiatry Research Unit, University Hospital ‘Marqués de Valdecilla’, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Graham Dunn
Affiliation:
School of Epidemiology & Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
*
José L. Vázquez-Barquero, Unidad de Investigación en Psiquiatría Clinica y Social, Hospital Universitario ‘Marqués de Valdecilla’, Avenida de Valdecilla s/n, 39008 Santander, Spain
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Abstract

Background

We present the findings from the three-year follow-up of all first episodes of schizophrenia occurring during a two-year period in Cantabria (in Spain).

Aims

(a) To describe the clinical characteristics of the illness from the early stages of the disease, and (b) to study the long-term psychosocial adjustment and psychopathological evolution of these patients, identifying predictors for the course of the illness.

Method

Of the original cohort of 86 patients, 76 (88.3%) were fully evaluated at three-year follow-up. Psychiatric assessment was performed (PSE–9 and SANS/SAPS). Social adjustment was evaluated using the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS). Information regarding the clinical evolution and use of health resources was also gathered.

Results

The majority of patients with a first-contact diagnosis of schizophrenia failed to meet the criteria for a CATEGO diagnosis at follow-up. The SANS/SAPS assessments revealed a doubling in the proportion of patients with ‘negative schizophrenia’. The pattern of clinical course was also evaluated, with 24 (31.5%) of the patients having a good outcome. Being male and having low social class tended to be associated with poor clinical outcome.

Conclusions

The outcome of schizophrenia is less pessimistic than was originally thought.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue 2 , February 1999 , pp. 141 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest Funding provided by the Spanish lnstituteof Health.

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