Remission of schizophrenia in Indonesia: An outpatient-based 12-month follow-up study

This study assessed the achievement of remission criteria among schizophrenic outpatients in Indonesia and detected the most significant factors involved in this process. A 12-month follow-up was conducted to assess symptomatic remission was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Inclusion criteria were outpatients with an International Classification of Diseases 10th edition diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Symptomatic remission was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) criteria (i.e., low scores for symptom 8-cores of PANSS for ≥6 consecutive months). At 6 months, approximately 137 (61%) of 223 outpatients met the criteria for symptomatic remission, and at the end of 12-month follow-up period, 64 (80%) of 80 outpatients achieved remission. Among these, 16 (20%) patients did not fulfill the remission criteria. A significant correlation was found between remission and the Global assessment of functioning (GAF) score. Remission was associated with family history of mental illness, onset of illness, type of antipsychotics, and prescription pattern. After 12 months, 80% of our schizophrenic outpatients achieved remission. Early onset of illness, family history of mental illness, use of first-generation antipsychotics, and poly-pharmacy were associated with poor remission rates. Some of these factors are potentially modifiable and should become targets for clinical care.