To study the course of psychosis in early schizophrenia, the authors
assessed 111 patients at hospitalization and at one or two follow-ups. The
course of psychosis was analyzed separately for broad (DSM-II) and narrow
(DSM-III) concepts of schizophrenia. The patients diagnosed with DSM-II
improved in psychosis between the first and second follow-ups. Those also
diagnosed with DSM-III showed more persistent psychosis; 40% were psychotic
at both follow-ups. A subgroup of patients showed improvement in psychosis
even after several years of sustained symptoms. The authors discuss the
implications of the data for views about the persistence of psychotic
symptoms.Abstract Teaser