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Long-term course and outcome in schizophrenia: a 34-year follow-up study in Alberta, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2012

S. C. Newman ,
R. C. Bland  and
A. H. Thompson
S. C. Newman*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
R. C. Bland
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
A. H. Thompson
Affiliation:
Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr S. C. Newman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2B7. (Email: stephen.newman@ualberta.ca)
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Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to extend an earlier retrospective cohort study of schizophrenia via a prospective study to a follow-up of 34 years, with an emphasis on describing the life-course of the illness.

Method

Subjects were 128 first-ever admissions for schizophrenia in 1963 to either of two mental hospital in Alberta, Canada. Follow-up continued until death or 1997. A symptom severity scale, with scores ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (hospitalized), was used to collect time-series data on each subject and create life-course curves. Indices were constructed to summarize the information in each curve. Information on social functioning was also collected.

Results

Results were similar for men and women. The life-course curves showed marked variability of symptom severity across subjects and over time. The average score over the entire period of follow-up for the cohort indicated ‘moderate’ symptoms, and the change in average score from beginning to end of follow-up demonstrated a slight worsening of symptoms. The measures of social functioning indicated that only about one quarter of the patients had a good to excellent outcome.

Conclusions

The long-term course in schizophrenia is one of varying symptom severity, and for many patients, there is a poor overall outcome.

Keywords

Cohort studyoutcomeschizophrenia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 10 , October 2012 , pp. 2137 - 2143
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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