Research view
Title: | Functional outcome in childhood-onset schizophrenia in Nigeria: a 3-year longitudinal study |
Author: | Musa U. Umar, Shehu Sale |
Abstract: |
Background
The outcome of childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is generally regarded as
poor. Few prospective studies have been reported from developing countries.
Aim
The aim of the present study was to assess the functional outcome in COS and the
factors associated with poor outcome.
Methods
This 3-year prospective study included 19 patients with COS. Diagnosis was based
on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., criteria using
the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia − Present and
Lifetime Version; severity was assessed through the Positive and Negative
Symptoms Scale, whereas the measure of outcome used was Children’s Global
Assessment Scale.
Results
The mean duration of follow-up was 39.53 (SD ±5.37) months. The mean age of onset
of COS was 10.47 (SD ±0.91) years. At the end of the study, 31.6% of the participants
had good outcome, 42.1% had moderate outcome, and 26.3% had poor outcome.
Factors associated with poor outcome included history of perinatal complication,more
negative symptoms, and longer duration of untreated psychosis.
Conclusion
More than a third of the sample showed good outcome over the few years of followup.
On the basis of the findings of this study, we recommend an early intervention.
Keywords:
childhood-onset schizophrenia, functional outcome, prospective follow-up study
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Journal: | Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry 2016, 37:118–124 |
Text: | |
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