Positive and negative syndromes in schizophrenia: analysis of determinants and severity of symptoms in Moroccan patients

Abstract

Background Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric condition distinguished by a variety of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral manifestations. It affects an individual’s cognition, emotions, and actions, resulting in challenges in discerning reality from illusion. The objective of the current study was to assess the determinants and severity of symptoms in Moroccan patients hospitalized in Ar-Razi Hospital, Rabat, Morocco using Positive and Negative Syndromes scales (PANSS). Methods One hundred sixty-one schizophrenic patients were admitted to Ar-Razi Hospital in Sale. The PANSS scale, in conjunction with a sociodemographic questionnaire, is utilized as the assessment tool for symptoms. A chi-square test at a 5% error level and a Pearson correlation test were applied to investigate possible associations. Results The findings demonstrate a significant bias towards males (9:1), with 90% being unmarried, and 96.3% originating from urban settings. The breakdown of patients based on symptoms reveals a prevalence of 14.3% for the positive scale, 18% for the negative scale, and 11.2% for the psychopathological scale. The correlation analysis demonstrates a strong relationship between the three scales. The factors that were found to have a notable impact are gender (p < 0.000), functional ability (p < 0.032), socioeconomic status (p < 0.008), living environment (p < 0.05), and use of tobacco and cannabis. Conclusion Confronted with this scenario, healthcare professionals are required to evaluate the key factors in the timely detection of schizophrenia and advocate for the consistent utilization of the PANSS scale in the management and monitoring of patients.