Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia

Introduction: To determine the subjective quality of life (QOL) and its association with socio-demographic variables, clinical features and level of function among patients with schizophrenia living in the community. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 206 stable patients with schizophrenia attending psychiatric out-patients follow-up. The QOL, depressive symptoms, psychopathology and global functions were assessed with the Brief Version of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview (QoLI-Brief), the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), the Positive and Negative Symptom Scales (PANSS) and the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale respectively. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to explore the significant associated factors for QOL. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 35.3 (SD 10.2) years old and the median total duration of illness was 10 (IQR 10) years. About one-quarter (26.7%) of them had depressive symptoms. Most subjects (78.2%) were satisfied in every domain of subjective QOL, even though concern was raised in the social relations domain, where about half (51%) perceived it as low. The significant associated factors for subjective QOL were general psychopathology (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.05,1.37) and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.09, 5.07). The socio-demographic variables, level of function and other clinical features were not significantly associated with subjective QOL. Discussion: Efforts to improve subjective QOL in patients with schizophrenia should include a close monitoring of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Strenghtening of family support and creating a favourable atmosphere would be beneficial to majority of the patients.