Open Access Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines of Negative Symptoms in Schizo- phrenia in Central and Eastern Europe: A Literature Review

Abstract: Aim: To gather and review data describing the epidemiology of schizophrenia and clinical guidelines for schizophrenia therapy in seven Central and Eastern European countries, with a focus on negative symptoms. Methods: A literature search was conducted which included publications from 1995 to 2012 that were indexed in key da-tabases. Results: Reports of mean annual incidence of schizophrenia varied greatly, from 0.04 to 0.58 per 1,000 popula-tion. Lifetime prevalence varied from 0.4 % to 1.4%. One study reported that at least one negative symptom was present in 57.6 % of patients with schizophrenia and in 50–90 % of individuals experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Pri-mary negative symptoms were observed in 10–30 % of patients. Mortality in patients with schizophrenia was greater than in the general population, with a standardized mortality ratio of 2.58–4.30. Reasons for higher risk of mortality in the schizophrenia population included increased suicide risk, effect of schizophrenia on lifestyle and environment, and pres-ence of comorbidities. Clinical guidelines overall supported the use of second-generation antipsychotics in managin