Korean J Psychopharmacol.  1999 Apr;10(1):57-64.

Clinical Features in Adult Schizophrenics with Minor Physical Anomalies

• Kang DY
• Kang SS
• Chang HY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
There have been several evidences that the central nervous system deflect is one of the etiologic factor in schizophrenia and minor physical anomalies can reflect these deflects indirectly. These central nervous deflects are particularly related to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the relationship between minor physical anomalies and psychopathology in schizophrenia.
METHODS
Forty-four patients(22 males, 22 females) satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were measured for minor physical anomalies by using Waldrop Anomaly Scale(WS) and we used Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), Ulmann-Giovannoni Process-Reactive Questionnaire(PRQ), and Phillips Premorbid Adjustment Scale(PAS) for evaluating psychopathology and clinical variables.
RESULTS
Schizophrenic patients had a higher group mean WS score than that found in the control group. Score of WS was correlated with PANSS and PAS score positively, and with PRQ score negatively.
CONCLUSION
This study shows minor physical anomalies are associated with clinical variables with regard to symptom severity, poor premorbid adjustment and process of illness in at least some schizophrenics.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Minor physical anomalies

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Central Nervous System
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Humans
Male
Psychopathology
Schizophrenia