P-1229 - the Effect of Premorbid Function on Symptoms Severity in First - Episode of Schizophrenia: an Egyptian Study

Abstract

Introduction

Psychiatric research focuses on development of psychosis and first- episode schizophrenia, early detection and Premorbid adjustment are of interest because it may reduce the heterogeneity of the disorder and may have predictive value.

Aim

To study the Premorbid functioning in first episode schizophrenic patients and its relation with symptoms severity, cognitive and executive function as well as it s predictive measure for short term degree of improvement.

Subjects and methods

Fifty patients diagnosed according to ICD -10 criteria as first episode schizophrenia were conducted to Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANAS), Modified Premorbid Adjustment scale (MPAS), Social Readjustment Rating to evaluate severity and pattern of the symptoms and Premorbid function as well as psychometric assessment including IQ, Wisconsin Card Sorting test (WCST) and Eysenck personality Questioner (EPQ).

Results

Seventy percent of patients showed a disturbance in Premorbid function 38 % had deteriorating Premorbid functioning while 32% have stable poor Premorbid function The deterioration of Premorbid function was statistically correlated with negative symptoms, thought disturbance, and anergia as well as poor total score of WCST and low IQ. Impairment of executive functions were related to severe paranoid symptom and aggression.

Conclusion

Our study emphasized the importance of measuring Premorbid adjustment to people at risk for schizophrenia in order to detect more precisely the earliest symptoms for early prevention of schizophrenic disorder.