Abstract

Outcomes for people with schizophrenia are improved by expedient diagnosis and specific treatment.

ICD-11 and DSM-5 have reduced the importance of Schneider’s first rank symptoms (FRS) in the diagnosis of schizophrenia; however, FRS may still offer a useful triage tool for the early identification of schizophrenia and initiation of antipsychotic therapy in high-demand and resource-poor settings.

This commentary considers a Cochrane review that assesses the diagnostic accuracy of one or multiple FRS in diagnosing schizophrenia in adults and adolescents.

Citations

Townsend, L., & De Giorgi, R. (2019). The tail wagging the dog: The diagnostic accuracy of first rank symptoms: COMMENTARY ON… COCHRANE CORNER. BJPsych Advances, 25(6), 337-341.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2019.51

URI: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/the-tail-wagging-the-dog-the-diagnostic-accuracy-of-first-rank-symptoms-commentary-on-cochrane-corner/