Clinical and Demographic Landscape of Schizophrenia in India: Findings from a Multicenter Real-World SCHIZO INDIA Study
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Abstract
Background: The current real-world study aims to understand demographic details, clinical profiles, comorbidities and management in schizophrenia. Methods: This study employed retrospective, multi-center, observational design to investigate the demographic & clinical profiles of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data was collected from patient records across diverse healthcare settings in India. Results: The study population comprised total of 5085 individuals, with mean age of 48.5 years. The most common positive symptom reported was hallucinations (19.5%), followed by delusions (17.8%). Lack of motivation was the most frequent negative symptom (21.9%) & difficulties with working memory were most prevalent cognitive symptoms (33.7%). Catatonia was observed in (12.8%) of patients. Anxiety was reported by (10.9%) of patients, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was present in (16.8%) of patients, & (13.6%) reported substance abuse. Depression was identified in (20.8%) of patients with (13.8%) taking antidepressants. There was significant reduction in the PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) score from baseline. Olanzapine was frequently prescribed antipsychotic, with escitalopram commonly used as adjunct therapy. Conclusion: The study shows a high prevalence of schizophrenia with diverse symptoms, co-morbidities, and treatment approaches. The study highlights the need for better data refinement and standardization to improve research accuracy and patient care in schizophrenia.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Nitin Kapure, Dr Siddharth Nikam, Dr Mayur Mayabhate, Dr Akhilesh Sharma
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