objective Recent us and European working groups have proposed remission criteria for schizophrenia consisting of (1) a time criterion and (2) a symptomatic remission criterion. Using longitudinal data in a representative sample of patients with non-affective psychotic disorder (n = 317; mean follow-up: 1291 days), the validity of the symptomatic remission criterion was investigated.

method In a group of 145 patients meeting the symptomatic remission criterion at baseline, and a group of 172 patients not meeting the criterion at baseline, change over time in remission status was examined in relation to change in clinician-reported unmet needs and Global Assessment of Functioning gaf scores (psychopathology and impairment separately), and in patient- reported quality of life and satisfaction with services.

results In both groups, change over time in the symptomatic remission criterion was associated with large changes in unmet needs, gaf scores, satisfaction with services and, to a lesser extent, quality of life. Changing the symptomatic remission criterion to include depression and suicidality did not affect the results.

conclusion The proposed symptomatic remission criterion has clinical validity and represents the right mix between parsimony and inclusiveness.