State-anxiety in schizophrenia

Objectives: State-trait anxiety in medicated schizophrenic patients was evaluated by the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Methods: The subjects for the present study included 101 schizophrenic inpatients (DSM-IV). Results: 1) There was no significant difference in the mean total state anxiety score between the schizophrenic patients and the normal subjects in either sex. 2) The mean total trait anxiety score was significantly higher in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal subjects for males, but not for females. 3) In male patients, there was a significant positive correlation between the total state anxiety scores and the positive symptom (POS) scores, but not in female patients. 4) In male patients, there was a significant positive correlation between the total trait anxiety scores and the POS scores, but not in female patients. Conclusions: The results of the present study may indicate that the female schizophrenic patients are biologically insensitive to stress compare to male schizophrenic patients.