Previous studies highlight the difficulty of correctly diagnosing depressive symptoms in schizophrenic patients, as well as the impact on clinical progression among patients who present with both syndromes, worsening treatment adherence and overall prognosis.

To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. To analyze the relationship of depressive symptoms with other demographic and clinical variables.

Eighty-four patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria and treated in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic were recruited for this study. Symptom severity was assessed using The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS; Kay et al., 1987); classifying patients as positive, negative or mixed schizophrenia subtypes. Data from clinical and sociodemographic variables was obtained from clinical records.

The mean age was 43.2 years (SD: 10.2). Depression is objectively detected in 10.3% of the sample, and presented as subjective depression in 29.5%. The prevalence of depressive symptoms is higher among women, unmarried patients, lower social classes and patients who met criteria for predominantly positive Schizophrenia subtype. Higher prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in patients with a shorter course of disease.

Depressive symptoms present with a high prevalence among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, especially during the early years of the disease. Given the severe impact of depression on both the evolution and prognosis of patients with severe mental illness, screening and early treatment must be carried out.