Has the prevalence, clinical presentation and social functioning of schizophrenia changed over the last 25 years? Nithsdale schizophrenia survey revisited.

Background: Major changes in the treatment of schizophrenia have taken place in recent years, including a shift from inpatient to community care, and the introduction of second-generation antipsychotics and psychosocial interventions. Recent evidence has questioned the superiority of these interventions over older treatments.

Aims: We wished to ascertain the impact of changes in the treatment of schizophrenia in a geographically-defined area, focusing on clinical symptoms and psychosocial outcome.