Symptomatic remission in schizophrenia patients: relationship with social functioning, quality of life, and neurocognitive performance

Schizophr Res. 2011 Jul;129(2-3):133-6. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.04.001. Epub 2011 Apr 22.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether symptomatic remission relates to better outcomes in schizophrenia.

Methods: Seventy-six schizophrenia patients were assessed using measures of cross-sectional symptomatic remission, social functioning, subjective quality of life (QoL), and cognition.

Results: Most patients (53; 69.7%) were not in remission. Remitted patients presented significantly better social functioning, better self-reported QoL, insight, and lower levels of depressive symptoms. They also showed a non-significant trend for better executive function, processing speed and verbal memory.

Conclusions: Symptomatic remission may be a good indicator of better clinical status, social functioning and QoL, but not so much for cognitive functioning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Recurrence
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Self Report
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric