[Evaluation of a long-acting neuroleptic: penfluridol. Clinical and psychosocial evolution at a year follow-up].

Twenty schizophrenic patients were treated for a year with long term neuroleptic Penfluridol to test its antipsychotic and re-socializing effect. They underwent a clinical follow up and an evaluation of psychosocial aspects was also performed by a psychiatric social worker. Their social behaviour and reinsertion to work and family were studied by the use of specially designed scales. Clinical improvement and significant changes in all of the studied aspects of social behaviour were observed after a year of treatment. Also a reduction of treatment abandonment and of frequency of relapse through family handling was detected. Finally a number of preliminary observations on family structure and dynamics as well as changes determined on it by the treatment of the psychotic patient are summarized.