Research view
| Title: | Long-term depot maintenance of chronic schizophrenic out-patients: the seven year follow-up of the Medical Research Council fluphenazine/placebo trial. III. Relapse postponement or relapse prevention? The implications for long-term outcome. |
| Author: | 1. D A Curson, 2. T R Barnes, 3. R W Bamber, 4. S D Platt, 5. S R Hirsch and 6. J C Duffy |
| Abstract: |
The relapse and admission histories revealed a positive correlation between number of schizophrenic episodes and time on maintenance medication, probably reflecting severity of illness. Relapse rates after drug discontinuation rose to 45% within 13 months. There were no differences of predictive value between those relapsing on or off medication. The relationship between relapse rates, drug treatment, and social outcome is complex; antipsychotic drugs may postpone relapse, and frequent relapses might inhibit improvement in social performance long after florid symptoms have been controlled by medication.
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| Journal: | The British Journal of Psychiatry (1985) 146: 474-480 |