A long-term follow-up of schizophrenic patients: 1946-1983.

The clinical fate of 73 schizophrenic patients collected from a rural general practice in England was followed for 38 years. The incidence of schizophrenia appears to have fallen since the introduction of phenothiazine drugs, and a more liberal attitude has developed toward these patients. Of these patients, 35% were permanently scarred and disabled by the disease; 28% of those who were traced had made a complete recovery. The outlook for victims of schizophrenia is better than it was in 1946. Some of the reasons for this improvement are explained.