Schizotypy and Cluster A personality profiles are more represented in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia than in the general population. This study presents two diagnostic instruments for the assessment of cluster A personality profiles: the Structured Clinical Interview for personality disorders Axis II (SCID-II) and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP 200).

1. 1) Verify sensitivity of SCID-II and SWAP-200 to detect schizophrenia spectrum personality traits;

2. 2) Assess the prevalence of the traits and personality disorders (PD) related to cluster A.

Evaluate diagnostic sensitivity of these instruments in detecting schizotypy and cluster A personality profiles, that are ultra high risk predictors for psychosis.

25 schizophrenic patients(SchzP), 18 their first-degree relatives(FdR), 23 healthy-control(HC) subjects, have been subjected to personality assessment. MANOVA and subsequent planned comparisons were assessed to detect difference between PD profiles in the three groups.

SchzP present significant scores relative to cluster A in both evaluations. FdR show statistically significant differences compared with HC, with higher mean scores relative to cluster A profiles measured with SWAP-200 [PD: Paranoid F(1,63)=7.02;p=0.01. Schizoid F(1,63)=6.56;p=0.013. Schizotypy F(1,63)=6.1;p=0.016; Q-Factor: Schizoid (F(1,63)=6.47;p=0.013; Paranoid F(1,63)=2.11;p=0.151], but not with SCID-II.

Data suggest low sensitivity of SCID-II to identify traits related to cluster A. FdR scored for traits related to schizophrenia spectrum greater than in the general population. SWAP-200 is able to accurately evidentiate the presence of schizotypal traits in FdR of patients with schizophrenia and suggests the importance of a clinical dimensional diagnosis for a more reliable identification of schizophrenia spectrum.