Schizophrenia with predominant negative symptoms 2019: epidemiological and social study in Poland
Abstract
Introduction: In the below article, we present the results of the study conducted in 2019, which aimed to estimate
the size of the subpopulations of adult schizophrenia patients, with predominant and chronic negative symptoms and
to describe the clinical profile and treatment of these patients.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on a representative sample of psychiatrists working at outpatient
clinics, welfare facilities for individuals chronically ill and nursing homes, who completed study forms describing the
condition of health and treatment of 300 patients with prevailing negative symptoms, persisting for at least 6 months.
Results were weighted and extrapolated to the general population of patients treated in outpatient and long-term care
in Poland.
Results: The results indicate the population of patients with persistent, predominant negative symptoms based on
clinical records and physicians judgement is slightly above 30% of adult schizophrenia patients in Poland. When using
more well defined criteria for PNS in line with the Polish Psychiatric Association recommendation, limiting symptoms
to primary character and excluding the patients with coexisting depressive symptoms, the figure is 6.8% of adult schizophrenia
patients (patients managed by psychiatrists in open care or long-term care facilities), which still accounts for
ca. 12,000 of patients.
Conclusions: It can be concluded, based on the study findings, that such isolated in the study subgroup of patients
receives suboptimal treatment, in the light of the current recommendations of Polish Psychiatric Association.
Keywords: schizophreniapredominant negative symptomspersistent negative symptomsepidemiology
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