Background. Previous studies have reported sex differences in the clinical presentation and outcome of adult patients with schizophrenia; the aim of present study was to compare the clinical characteristics, social functioning, adherence to treatment, and cognition of adolescents with this diagnosis in a six-month followup. Methods. A total of 87 adolescents with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), the Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), and the Rating of Medication Influences (ROMI). Results. Both groups showed a similar improvement in all PANSS factors and in the PSP scores during the followup. Males better adhered to treatment. Females displayed better results in the area of social cognition (F = 6.3, df = 2,52, and p = 0.003) and attention/vigilance (F = 8.3, df = 2,51, and p = 0.001). Conclusions. Male and female adolescents showed similar clinical presentation and functioning but a different pattern of cognitive improvement and adherence to treatment. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov II3/02/0811.‏

There is a paucity of follow-up studies of neurological, endocrine, and metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics in adolescents from low-income and middle-income countries, who have a higher prevalence of obesity and overweight, and could present increased morbidity. A Mexican sample of 86 adolescents with schizophrenia was examined during a 6-month follow-up using the Simpson-Angus, abnormal involuntary movement and Barnes Akathisia rating scales, in addition to a side effects score sheet and other laboratory measures. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify specific variables as predictors of weight gain. Sleep difficulties, restlessness, drowsiness, changes in thyroid hormones, and a linear increase in weight gain were observed. A baseline positive and negative syndrome scale score greater than 97 predicted a 5 kg increase at month 3 (odds ratio: 4.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-13.2). The absence of a plateau in weight gain in the present study across the 6-month treatment period and its relationship with illness severity suggests that even longer follow-up time should be examined in future studies in these patient populations.