Psychopathological characteristics of patients with first-episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia: a descriptive comparison.

Only few studies have compared the psychopathological features in first episode psychosis (FEP) and chronic schizophrenia (CS) patients. The aim of our study was to compare sociodemographic and clinical aspects of FEP and CS inpatients using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) in order to better characterize FEP. We did not find significant socio-demographic differences between the two groups apart from age and nationality. About PANSS we found that conceptual disorganization, poor rapport and lack of insight items scores were significantly higher in patients with FEP. Related to BPRS the items of somatic concerns, grandiosity and motor hyperactivity were significantly higher in the CS group; uncooperativeness was significantly higher in FEP group. Our study offers a characterization of FEP patients that confirms evidence and adds some information from the current literature. FEP patients seem to be more uncooperative with a worse interpersonal empathy and insight into the illness than CS patients; this could reduce their compliance with the treatment.