Persistent auditory hallucinations in out-patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives to estimate the prevalence of persistent auditory hallucinations (AHs) in a group of schizophrenic patients, to evaluate their dimensions and to identify their clinical associated factors. Method This was a cross-sectional study carried-on 144 out-patients followed for schizophrenia, according DSM-IV-TR criteria. The assessment was consisted by the collect of epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data and the use of the Hoffman's auditory hallucinations rating scale (AHRS), and the positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS). Results The prevalence of persistent AHs (AHRS score ≥ 5) was 40.3%. The mean total score of the AHRS was 10.7±7.8 for all patients and 19.4±7.7 for patients with persistent AHs. The AHs dimensions with higher sub-scores were the number, the influence and the reality of the voices. The PANSS items most related to the AHRS total score were P3 "hallucinatory activity", G1 "somatic concerns", G4 "tension" and the G5 "mannerisms and posture disorders". The clinical associated factors with persistent AHs after multivariate analysis were the absence of tobacco consumption, the hallucinatory onset of disorders, the notion of previous hospitalization and the continuous course. Conclusion Our results support the multidimensionality of AHs and confirm the existence of inter individual differences in the characteristics of these hallucinations. Persistent AHs were associated with poor prognosis, requiring more effective therapeutic strategies.