Original Research Prim Care Companion CNS Disord August 2026

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Substance Use in Schizophrenia

PCC CNS Disord 2026;28(4):10.4088/PCC.26m04210

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. Clinical Summary Patients with early-phase schizophrenia often present with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and substance use that can complicate assessment and treatment beyond psychosis alone. This study clarifies which comorbid symptoms track most closely with schizophrenia severity in a North Indian tertiary care sample, helping clinicians prioritize what to screen for and address early. FAQ How common were anxiety symptoms in patients with early-phase schizophrenia in this study?

Key Takeaways In this early-phase schizophrenia cohort, anxiety symptoms were common at 70.6%, but their association with schizophrenia severity was weak, with HAM-A correlations limited to PANSS total (ρ=0.219, P= .004), negative (ρ=0.174, P=.023), and general psychopathology (ρ=0.227, P=.003). Clinical Guide How should clinicians screen patients with early-phase schizophrenia for anxiety, depressive symptoms, and substance use in a way that reflects this study's findings?