Minor physical anomalies may be related to treatment resistance in patients with schizophrenia.

This study investigates the relationship between minor physical anomalies (MPA) and treatment resistance in schizophrenia (TRS). We evaluated 137 patients and 100 healthy controls by using a modified Waldrup MPA scale. Thirteen MPA items were found more frequently in the schizophrenia group than in the controls. The total MPA score was higher in TRS, and MPAs in the eye and mouth regions were more frequent in TRS (n = 57) than in non-TRS. Total MPA score was correlated to Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Expanded (BPRS-E) total and BPRS-positive scores in TRS. Our findings suggest that MPA might contribute to treatment resistance in schizophrenia.

Relationship of obsessive-compulsive symptoms to clinical variables and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra high risk for psychosis.

Few studies have investigated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and clinical variables, and cognition in individuals at ultra high-risk (UHR) for psychosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of OCS and their relationship with clinical variables and cognitive functions in individuals at UHR. Eighty-four individuals at UHR for psychosis were administered the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Symptom Check List and, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. A cognitive test battery was also applied. We compared the clinical, functional, and cognitive parameters of individuals at UHR with and without OCS and healthy controls. Thirty-five percent of the UHR sample had at least two obsessions/compulsions. The duration of subthreshold psychotic symptoms was longer in individuals with OCS. Those who can work/study before first presentation were more frequent in OCS-positive group. CDSS scores were higher in those with OCS. Compared to controls, OCS-negative group's performance was worse in 8 cognitive test items, while OCS-positive group performed worse in only one cognitive test item. Our findings suggest that OCS are common in the UHR group. OCS might be related to higher level of depression, but better work/study performance, and less cognitive deficits in UHR group.