@article{ref1,
title="Prospective comparison of course of disability in antipsychotic-treated and untreated schizophrenia patients",
journal="Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica",
year="2009",
author="Thirthalli, J. and Venkatesh, B. K. and Kishorekumar, K. V. and Arunachala, U. and Venkatasubramanian, G. and Subbakrishna, D. K. and Gangadhar, B. N.",
volume="119",
number="3",
pages="209-217",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To compare the course of disability in schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotics and those remaining untreated in a rural community. METHOD: Of 215 schizophrenia patients identified in a rural south Indian community, 58% were not receiving antipsychotics. Trained raters assessed the disability in 190 of these at baseline and after 1 year. The course of disability in those who remained untreated was compared with that in those who received antipsychotics. RESULTS: Mean disability scores remained virtually unchanged in those who remained untreated, but showed a significant decline (indicating decrement in disability) in those who continued to receive antipsychotics and in those in whom antipsychotic treatment was initiated (P < 0.001; group x occasion effect). The proportion of patients classified as 'disabled' declined significantly in the treated group (P < 0.01), but remained the same in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: Disability in untreated schizophrenia patients remains unchanged over time. Treatment with antipsychotics in the community results in a considerable reduction in disability.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0001-690X",
doi="10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01299.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01299.x"
}