The nature and prevalence of depression in chronic schizophrenic in-patients

Abstract

Out of 194 chronic schizophrenic in-patients, depressed mood (item 23 of the PSE) was present in 25 (13%). When compared with 25 matched controls, the patients with depressed mood had significantly higher scores on the MADRS and the Beck Depression Inventory. Serious suicidal ideas and auditory hallucinations were significantly more common in the depressed group. However, there were no significant differences between the matched groups in terms of negative symptoms, Parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia, anticholinergic medication, or current dose of antipsychotic drug, which suggests that the depression identified was not related to drug treatment, nor was it a direct manifestation or misinterpretation of negative symptoms. Over three-month follow-up, the MADRS and Beck scores covaried closely with the presence or absence of depressed mood. This depressive syndrome persisted over the three months in the majority of patients originally depressed.