Abnormal Movements and Prognosis in Schizophrenia

A longitudinal study was made of 18 young hospitalized schizophrenics who exhibited abnormal movements of a choreiform or athetoid type and 36 schizophrenic controls who were free of movement disorders. The group with movement abnormalities were younger at first hospitalization than the controls and their disease progressed steadily, with early and profound mental deterioration. The majority remained in the hospital for the entire observation period despite intensive treatment efforts, while the control group had shorter hospital stays and showed better treatment response.