6-year Follow-up of Patients with Acute Transient Psychotic Disorders Without Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective

to studythe clinical, dynamic and prognostic aspects of acute transient psychoticdisorders.

Methods

67 inpatients with acutepsychotic state which was developed for the first time, free of schizophreniasymptoms (23.0 F; F 23.3; 23.8 F; F 23.9 ICD − 10) were examined. Mean age ofthe patients: 31,7±11 years. Clinical and psychopathological, clinical follow-up, statistical methods were used. The follow-up period of observation lasted 6years from the moment of reduction of psychotic symptoms of the 1st psychotic episode.

Results

Up-to-one-week ?sychoses were observed in 31 patients (46,3%), whereas prolongedpsychotic disorders (longer than 30 days) occurred with 7.5% (n=5). Criticalcoming out of psychosis occurred with 25 patients (37,3%), lytic variant ofreduction of psychotic symptoms was observed in 62,7 % of cases (n=42). Duringthe 6-year term, recurring psychotic attacks were observed in 21 patients(31,3%). One relapse of illness was observed in 57,1% of cases (12 patients outof 21). In 9 patients (42,9%), from 2 to 5 psychotic attacks were recorded. Allrecurring attacks of the disease were characterised by psychotic episodes ofschizophrenic patterns combined with specific deficit symptoms withinpostpsychotic period (autistic symptoms, decreased energetic potential ofindividuality, flattened affect, impaired abstract thinking).

Conclusions

theresults have enabled to identify 31,3% of 23.0 F cases as atypical beginning ofschizophrenic process, thus affording ground for maintenance therapy afterclinical reduction of the first psychotic episode. Lytic coming out of psychotic state revealed statisticallysignificant relationship with further relapse of the disease.