Outcome of schizophrenia in India using various diagnostic systems

Abstract

A group of 112 patients diagnosed to be suffering from schizophrenia according to ICD-9 concept of this disorder were followed-up for a period of 18-30 months. Five diagnostic systems for schizophrenia: CATEGO, Research Diagnostic Criteria, Feighner's Criteria, DSM-III and Schneider's First Rank Symptoms were also applied to the study group at the beginning of the investigation. The outcome was assessed in the areas of clinical improvement, course, severity of illness and work. The course of the disorder and outcome in various definitions did not reveal significant variability though patients diagnosed to be schizophrenics according to DSM-III tended to display more psychopathology and impaired work efficiency at the time of follow-up.