Unipolar and bipolar schizoaffective disorders: a comparative study. II. Long-term course.

Seventy-two schizoaffective patients were investigated longitudinally (mean follow-up period 25.6 years). Of these, 37 were classified as unipolar and 35 as bipolar schizoaffectives. Their long-term courses were compared. Bipolar schizoaffectives were found to have shorter cycles, i.e. more frequent relapses and more episodes. Bipolars displayed much more variation in symptomatology. Unipolar schizo-affectives had longer periods of remission (that is the last relapse-free period if longer than 3 years) and more frequently showed suicidal symptomatology than did bipolar schizoaffectives. Altogether bipolar schizoaffective disorders had a more unfavourable course than unipolar disorders.