Is it true remission? A study of remitted patients affected by schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders

To date, few studies have reported analytical data relating to clinical remission, functional remission and subjective experience. The present study aimed to investigate these aspects in a sample of chronic outpatients. Methods: 112 schizophrenic or schizoaffective outpatients (Males=60; Females=52; mean age 43.5±9.42 yr) were evaluated with regard to symptomatology (SCID-I; PANSS, CGI-SCH scales), functioning (PSP scale), subjective wellbeing (SWN-K scale) and Quality of Life (WHO-QoL-Bref scale). Results: 50% of patients were found to be in remission. Significantly higher scores at PANNS, CGI-SCH, PSP, but not at SWN and WHO-QoL, were found among remitted patients; a relevant proportion of remitted subjects continued to manifest a moderate level of symptoms (score >3) both at PANSS (35% of cases) and CGI-SCH (29% of cases), significant functional impairment (total score <70) at PSP (68% of cases ), and a lesser degree of wellbeing (total score <80) at SWN-K (34% of cases). Conclusion: patients in whom clinical remission was confirmed may display persisting symptoms, relevant areas of functional impairment and a decreased sense of wellbeing.