TITLE:
Study of negatives symptoms in first episode schizophrenia
AUTHORS:
Vivek Bambole, Nilesh Shah, Shushma Sonavane, Megan Johnston, Amresh Shrivastava
KEYWORDS:
Negative Symptoms; First Episode Psychosis; Schizophrenia; Symptomatology
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.3 No.3,
June
28,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Prevalence of negative symptoms in the
early phase of schizophrenia remains uncertain. Negative symptoms are the
primary cause of long term disability and poor functional outcome. The purpose
of this study is to examine the presence of negative symptoms in patients with
fist episode psychosis in schizophrenia who were hospitalized. Methods: Negative
symptoms were measured in 72 patients presenting with FEP using the scale for
assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) and ascertained diagnosis using
DSM-IV. Prevalence of SANS items and subscales were examined for both
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Results: This study shows that a significant
number of patients with first episode schizophrenia had negative symptoms 66
(87.5%). All five subtypes of negative symptoms were present in 47% of patients
suggesting primary negative symptoms, and about 40% have secondary negative
symptoms. Independently, each subtype of negative symptoms was seen in 48% - 76%
of patients. The most prevalent negative symptom in first-episode schizophrenia
was found to be blunting (72%). 46% of patients had significant level of
depression, overall psychopathology was severe and level of functioning was
poor. We found that 45.8% patients were prescribed anticholinergic medications
which indicated that at least 45% subjects had extra-pyramidal symptoms (EPS). Conclusion:
Primary negative symptoms are prevalent in about half of First episode Psychosis
(FEP) schizophrenia patients. These findings have implications for
identification, early treatment, and reduced treatment resistance for negative
symptoms in order to increase social and clinical outcome of schizophrenia.
Further research is required in this area.