The prodromal phase of schizophrenia is the time interval preceding a first psychotic episode. It begins with the appearance of nonspecific symptoms. It ends with the outbreak of an episode meeting the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. This phase is considered a key period in the prognosis of the disease because it provides access to early diagnosis.

Identify the symptoms of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and point out the duration of their development in a sample of Tunisian patients.

Detect the specifities of prodromal phase in Tunisia.

15 schizophrenia patients with illness duration of less than 3 years were included. All patients were in clinical remission from at least 3 months (PANNS and BPRS). Exclusion criteria were any history of other psychiatric or neurological disorders and alcohol or drug abuse. Prodromal symptoms were assessed with the scale of prodromal symptoms (SOPS) developed by Mc Glashan. It is a heteroquestionnaire for patients and their parents.

The mean duration of prodromal phase was about 2 years with extremes ranging from 6 months to 4 years.

The most severe prodromal symptoms were suspiciousness/ persecutory ideas, social isolation, dysphoric mood and impaired tolerance to normal stress

The most frequent prodromal symptoms were impaired tolerance to normal stress, dysphoric mood, sleep disturbance, social isolation and suspiciousness/ persecutory ideas.

We have not found any difference between male and female.

The prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia found in the Tunisian socio cultural context are similar to those found in other countries.