engleski

Influence of alcoholism on the prognosis of schizofrenic patients

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate possible differences in clinical, social and hospital prognosis in schizophrenics with or without codiagnosed alcoholism.Method: A representative sample was selected by a two-stage random sample of sets from the total of 10, 569 schizophrenic patients registred in the Croatian Psychotic Case Register in the period 1962-71.The resulting 449 schizophrenic patients were psychiatrically examined in 1973-75 whereever they were found-at home, in a hospital or in a social- health institution.Of these original patients, 312 with or without dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and alcoholism who were found at home were followed up until the final examination in 1990- 91.Results: Rate changes in 37 patients with the dual diagnosis were significant in the following characteristics: they were more often men, with a paranoid-hallucinatory disease form, were agressive during examination, and were without psychiatric aftercare or regular psychopharmacotherapy (p<.01) ; they came from rural areas, had a mixed clinical picture with a deteriorating disease course and were less communicative and socially functional, and were without work, self-initiative and personal outcome (p<.05).Conclusions: Schizophrenic patients found at home with codiagnosed alcoholism have poorer clinical, hospital, social and life prognosis and need longer hospitalization.They represent a special subgroup of schizophrenics requiring special therapeutic approach and early identification, inasmuch as their course of the disease has a tendency toward rapid deterioration.Prevention of alcoholism and its adequate treatment have far reaching implications for the prognosis of schizophrenic illness.

alcoholism ; schizophrenia

nije evidentirano