A 45-year follow-up study of adolescent schizophrenia. Part I: Premorbid values of psychological and relational indicators in the context of illness course and long-term social functioning of patients

Aim. Research on predictors of adolescent schizophrenia, especially those based on longterm follow-up studies, is rare in the literature. In our analysis, we examine the relationship between the premorbid functioning of the respondents and clinical and social indicators of the illness course. Method. 69 patients at the average age of 16 years (time point 0), hospitalized due to schizophrenia (retrospectively re-diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria) and re-examined 5 years later (time point 1 - personal examination of 41 individuals), were re-evaluated for clinical and social parameters 45 years after their initial hospitalization (time point 2 - personal examination of 21 individuals). Results. Premorbid indicators of mood, life drive, emotional expression, level of social withdrawal, intelligence, anxiety, development of sexual and aggressive drive, and family and extra-family relational life revealed numerous and various correlations with both the symptomatic picture and clinical course of schizophrenia as well as distant social functioning of the subjects. Variables of the greatest prognostic value were: the emotional attitude of moving away from people and the world, and rich relational life outside the family of origin. These variables revealed opposite correlations, especially with the severity of negative symptoms, the level of late insight and regression, the quality of professional life and GAF scores, with the correlations of rich relational life to be assessed as positive and the correlations of attitude of moving away from as negative. The harmonious development of drive as well as high intelligence also proved to be significant. The correlations of both of these variables have proved beneficial both in clinical and social terms. Conclusions. The so-called premorbid personality described by several indicators turns out to be an important prognostic factor in juvenile schizophrenia.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationship between premorbid functioning and clinical and social indicators of adolescent schizophrenia, based on long-term follow-up studies. The findings suggest that premorbid indicators are significant prognostic factors in juvenile schizophrenia, with variables such as emotional attitude and rich relational life outside the family showing opposite correlations with symptomatic picture, clinical course and social functioning.