Relevance of Schneider's first-rank symptoms in Zulu patients with paranoid schizophrenia
Background: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of Schneider's first-rank symptoms (FRS) in Zulu patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and to ascertain the diagnostic and prognostic significance of Schneider's FRS in this group. Methods: This descriptive study w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2005-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/188 |
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| Summary: | Background: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of Schneider's first-rank symptoms (FRS) in Zulu patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and to ascertain the diagnostic and prognostic significance of Schneider's FRS in this group.
Methods: This descriptive study was done on 75 psychiatric Zulu in- and outpatients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. A questionnaire was completed and included sociodemographic data, Schneider's FRS and a functional assessment.
Results: Fifty-three percent of the patients heard voices at some or other time. Most patients (90.7%) confirmed having experienced at least one of the five related symptoms of thought disturbances and 80% of the patients confirmed the presence of passivity phenomena. Most patients (87%) indicated that they had presented at least one type of primary delusion, at the time of the interview. Regarding functional assessment, some (12%) patients were still entirely productive (“no problems”), 28% rated “mild problems”, 45% “moderate problems” and 15% “severe problems”. With regard to social functioning, 8% of the patients scored “no problems”, 25% “mild problems”, 50% “moderate problems” and 17% “severe problems”.
Conclusions: The prevalence of Schneider's FRS in these patients is 100%, with a 95% confidence interval [95.2%; 100%]. Even though extremely sensitive for paranoid schizophrenia, the specificity of Schneider's FRS merits further study. |
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| ISSN: | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |