Relationship of symptomatic remission with quality of life and functionality in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between remission and quality of life (QoL) of patients with schizophrenia.

Method: Quality of life was investigated with the Quality-of-Life Scale, the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), and the Evaluation of Functional Remission Scale in 102 outpatients with schizophrenia. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) were used to assess symptom severity. Remission was defined based on the Andreasen et al criteria (2005).

Results: The remission group had higher levels of QoL and functionality as measured by the Quality-of-Life Scale (P = .001), PSP (P = .001), and Evaluation of Functional Remission Scale (P = .001). The remission group also had higher employment rates, lower smoking rates, and less depressive symptoms. We found that negative (P = .001) and positive symptoms of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (P = .05) and CDSS score (P = .005) independently contributed to PSP score in a linear regression analysis. Years of education and positive symptoms were related to CDSS score. All of the 3 scales that we used to assess QoL and functionality were highly correlated with each other. In addition, the opinions of patients or relatives/partners about functionality of the patient was highly correlated with all of the scales.

Conclusion: We found significant differences between patients with schizophrenia with and without remission for QoL and functionality. Relative/partner's evaluation of functional status provides a reliable measure of QoL as well.