P-57 Remission in Schizophrenia across the illness course: a critical review of constructs, stability, and relapse
Author(s):
K Das
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: To critically examine remission in schizophrenia
as a clinical construct across the illness course and clarify its
appropriate interpretation in research and clinical contexts.
Methods: A critical narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, focusing on conceptual frameworks, consensus definitions, critical analyses, and empirical studies addressing remission stability, functional outcomes, and relapse.
Results: Remission is consistently distinguished from treatment response and recovery and positioned as an intermediate clinical state. Symptomatic remission is defined using standardized criteria based on symptom severity and duration. Empirical studies show that remission may be sustained in some individuals, that stability varies and cannot be inferred from single assessments, and that functional outcomes among remitted individuals are heterogeneous. Clinically meaningful relapse may occur following periods of apparent stability.
Conclusion: Remission in schizophrenia is best understood as a dynamic clinical state whose meaning depends on longitudinal context. While useful for describing symptomatic status, remission should not be interpreted as a definitive indicator of functional outcome or long-term prognosis. Accordingly, its use in clinical communication requires careful framing when counseling patients and families.