Objective: The aim of the present study was to contrast the outcome of schizophrenic patients between Bali and Tokyo, the former being a non-industrialized society and the latter an industrialized society in Asia.
Method: A total of 51 Balinese schizophrenics and 40 schizophrenics in Tokyo were evaluated by five outcome measures at a 5-year follow-up.
Results: No significant difference was found in the mean scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Eguma's Social Adjustment Scale and the re-admission rates between the subjects in the two sites. The cumulative length of stay in hospital during the 5-year period was significantly shorter in Bali. The percentage of subjects on psychiatric medication at the follow-up was significantly lower in Bali than that in Tokyo.
Conclusion: Although the clinical outcome of schizophrenics in Bali was not superior to that in Tokyo, the subjects in Bali tended to be able to live in society without neuroleptic medication.