Investigation of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with schizoaffective disorder

Objective: Since definition of schizoaffective disorder (SAD), there is disagreement about its presence and diagnostic validity and continuity. This study aimed to investigate sociodemographic and clinical features of SAD patients. Methods: Thirty-five patients were included who were diagnosed with SAD based on the DSM-IV-TR. Medical records were examined retrospectively. Results: 71.4% and 28.6% patients were men and women respectively. Numbers of manic and depressive episodes were 3.71 +/- 3.04 and 2.45 +/- 1.82 respectively. There were 34 bipolar and one depressive subtypes. Delusions and hallucinations were 97.1% and 68.6% respectively. Out of 35 patients, who were diagnosed with SAD, in their first and second psychiatric assessments in the past, respectively, SAD 5.7% and 57%, bipolar disorder 28.2% and 31.4%, psychosis 54.3% and 11.4%, and depression 11.4% and 0.0%. Positive family psychiatric history was 37.1%. Current medications of patients, antipsychotics 97.1%, mood stabilizer (MS) 40%, antipsychotics without MS 60%, antipsychotics+MS 37.1%, only MS 2.9%, antidepressants 20%, benzodiazepines 20%, biperidene 17.1%, risperidone 34.3%, olanzapine 31.4%, quetiapine %25.7, lithium 22.9%, valproate 20%, carbamazepine 2.9%, multiply antipsychotics 28.6%, lithium+valproate 5.7%, antipsychotic+antidepressant 17.1%, antipsychotics+MS+antidepressants %5.7. Previous medication history was antipsychotics 97.1%, MS 54.3%, antidepfessants 42.9%, benzodiazepines 17.1%, biperidene 20% and lamotrijine 8.6%. 68.6% of patients received ECT Men had been more hospitalized than women had, There were positive correlation between number of manic episodes and illness duration and number of hospitalizations, and positive correlation between antidepressants history and number of manic episodes, and negative correlation between number of hospitalizations and ECT. Discussion: The diagnostic continuity was low. Patients continue their medications with antipsychotics or together antipsychotics and MS. There were antidepressants and antianxiety drugs in the treatment of a portion of patients. Longitudinal evaluation should be conducted properly besides evaluation of presenting symptoms in SAD. Clinicians should be more careful not to miss the diagnosis of depressive subtype. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 10:204-211)