Perceived functioning, well-being and psychiatric symptoms in patients with stable schizophrenia treated with long-acting risperidone for 1 year

Br J Psychiatry. 2005 Aug:187:131-6. doi: 10.1192/bjp.187.2.131.

Abstract

Background: The extent to which antipsychotics improve patients' well-being is uncertain.

Aims: To examine psychopathology and patient-rated functioning and well-being in patients treated with risperidone.

Method: In a 1-year, open-label, international multicentre trial of long-acting risperidone in 615 stable adult patients with schizophrenia, self-rated functioning and well-being were measured every 3 months using the Short Form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). Psychopathology was quantified using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Results: Significant improvements were found on the SF-36 mental component summary score and vitality and social functioning scales. PANSS and mental component summary scores were moderately correlated.

Conclusions: Patient-reported functioning and well-being appear to differ from investigator-rated psychotic symptoms. Patient-rated well-being should be assessed with symptoms to help measure treatment outcomes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life
  • Risperidone / administration & dosage*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Self-Assessment
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Risperidone