Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41(4): 125-128
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1076729
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Improvement of Subjective Well-being and Enduring Symptomatic Remission, A 5-Year Follow-up of First Episode Schizophrenia

L. de Haan 1 , L. van Nimwegen 1 , T. van Amelsvoort 1 , P. Dingemans 1 , D. Linszen 1
  • 1AMC-Academisch Psychiatrisch Centrum, Adolescentenkliniek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 11.10.2007 revised 16.01.2008

accepted 28.01.2008

Publikationsdatum:
23. Juli 2008 (online)

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the predictive validity of early improvement of subjective experience and early improvement of rater assessed symptoms on enduring symptomatic remission (ESR) status during 5 years follow.

Methods: 110 consecutively admitted patients suffering from a first episode of schizophrenia or related disorders were investigated. We defined early improvement of subjective well-being as a delta-score of the total Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics scale-20 item version (SWN-K) at admission and after 6 weeks treatment. The severity of psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at admission, 6 weeks, 6 months, 3 and 5 years after admission. Enduring symptomatic remission (ESR) was defined as complying to the symptomatic remission criteria at PANSS assessment at 6 months and 5 years and continuing this state between 6 months and 5 years follow-up. Paired-samples and independent t-test were used to compare means.

Results: Patients with ESR (n=30) had a higher mean improvement of subjective well-being during early treatment as assessed with the SWN-K than those without ESR (n=74) (p=0.004). Early symptomatic improvement as assessed with the PANSS was not related to ESR (p=0.95).

Discussion: Early improvement of subjective well-being is related to ESR in first episode schizophrenia or related disorders.

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Correspondence

L. de Haan

Postbus 75867

1070 AW Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Telefon: +31/(0)20/891 37 09

Fax: +31/(0)20/891 37 02

eMail: L.deHaan@amc.uva.nl