As shown on the slide, there are many functional consequences of relapse, including long-term disability, an increased risk of suicide, decline in cognitive function, and decreased quality of life.[Ascher-Svanum et al., 2010; Birchwood et al., 2000; Briggs et al., 2008; Lieberman et al., 2008; Kane, 2007]
It is increasingly clear that patients with schizophrenia are a heterogenous group in each domain of recovery.[Lieberman et al., 2008] A limitation of the current approach to therapy is the lack of a consistent and specific terminology to allow communication between advocates, researchers, and policy makers.[Lieberman et al., 2008] Coupled with the current incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, this has led some to pessimistically predict that in the immediate future, therapies are likely to be restorative for some patients, ameliorative for most, but ineffective for some.[Lieberman et al., 2008]
References:
Ascher-Svanum H, Zhu B, Faries DE, et al. The cost of relapse and the predictors of relapse in the treatment of schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2010; 10: 2.
Birchwood M, Spencer E, McGovern D. Schizophrenia: early warning signs. Adv Psychiatr Treat 2000; 6 (2): 93–101.
Briggs A, Wild D, Lees M, et al. Impact of schizophrenia and schizophrenia treatment-related adverse events on quality of life: direct utility elicitation. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2008; 6: 105.
Kane JM. Treatment strategies to prevent relapse and encourage remission. J Clin Psychiatry 2007; 68 (Suppl. 14): 27–30.
Lieberman JA, Drake RE, Sederer LI, et al. Science and recovery in schizophrenia. Psychiatr Serv 2008; 59 (5): 487–496.
Shepherd M, Watt D, Falloon I, Smeeton N. The natural history of schizophrenia: a five-year follow-up study of outcome and prediction in a representative sample of schizophrenics. Psychol Med Monogr Suppl 1989; 15: 1–46.