Consistency of symptomatic dimensions of schizophrenia in a 12 year follow-up study

Aim. The aim of the study was to identify syndromes measured by the BPRS - E scale and to analyse changes in their consistency over the course of a 12 years prospective study. Material/method. A group of 80 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia was followed up in 1, 3, 7 and 12 years after their first psychiatric hospitalisation. Their psychopathological status was investigated with the BPRS - E scale. Results. Four syndromes were found: positive, negative, depressive and that of excitement. However, at the following time points, consistency of these syndromes varied. The most consistent syndrome was the negative one. Four of ten symptoms connected with this syndrome, namely: motor retardation, blunted affect, uncooperativeness and emotional withdrawal, were present within it at every follow-up. In the case of the excitement syndrome two symptoms (hostility and tension) were present at all follow-up time points. None of the symptoms included in the depressive and positive syndromes were consistently present within these syndromes over the period of twelve years. Conclusion. In the analysis of the symptoms of patients suffering from schizophrenia four factors were identified: negative, excitement, depressive and positive. Of the four factors, the most consistent over the period of twelve years was the negative factor.