The Course Of Schizophrenia

Question 1

Describe the epidemiology and onset of schizophrenia

Answer 1

pidemiology: Approx 1%, no gender bias
Onset

•Typical onset: Late teens with slightly later onset in women.

• Late-onset (>40 yrs): More likely female with positive symptoms and less severe course.
• Childhood onset (<13 yrs): Severe form of disorder with more deficits in neurodevelopment.

Question 2

What are the associated features of schizophrenia?

Answer 2

Associated Features
•Low socioeconomic attainment
(due to disability causing a drift down the socioeconomic scale [“downward drift”])
•Nicotine addiction
•Suicide risk and aggressive tendencies
■If patient experiences command hallucinations
■If patient feels threatened due to paranoid
delusion

Question 3

Describe the progression and outcome of schizophrenia

Answer 3

Progression & Outcome

• Chronic with slow gradual decline or fluctuating symptoms
• Moderate to severe disability with episodic hospitalization

Question 4

What are the prognostic indicators of schizophrenia?

Answer 4

Age of onset- older (better) younger (worse
Rapidity of onset- rapid (better) slower (worse)
Type of symptoms - positive (better) negative (worse)
Structural CNS changes - absent (better) present (worse)
Mood symptoms - present (better) absent (worse
Gender- female (better) male (worse