Basic symptoms influence real‐life functioning and symptoms in individuals at high risk for psychosis

Objective To investigate potential clinical differences in high‐risk profiles presenting with and without basic symptoms, and additionally investigate the association between basic symptoms and clinical symptoms, functioning, and cognition. Methods High‐risk individuals (n = 133) were stratified into individuals fulfilling ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) criteria (n = 59) and individuals fulfilling UHR+ basic symptoms criteria (BS) (n = 74). Group differences were assessed on clinical symptoms, real‐life functioning, and cognition. Regression analyses were conducted to elucidate on the relationship between BS and clinical symptoms, functioning, neurocognition, and social cognition. Results The group fulfilling both UHR+ BS criteria had significantly more symptoms and lower real‐life functioning and quality of life but not more cognitive deficits. BS influenced on attenuated psychotic, depressive, and general symptoms, but only modestly on negative symptoms. No relationship between BS and neuro‐ and social cognition was established except for an association with emotion recognition processing speed. BS influenced real‐life functioning, and this finding was sustained when controlling for the effect of negative symptoms. Conclusions Our findings indicate that BS contribute highly to the distress and symptom load of clinical high‐risk individuals. Longitudinal findings are needed to establish the predictive validity of BS on high‐risk individuals’ clinical and functional prognosis.