Quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

There is limited evidence from India on the effect schizophrenia has on the quality of life (QoL) of patients.Our study aimed to determine the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and analyze its determinants. This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the psychiatric outpatient department of SLN Medical College and Hospital in Koraput among 100 adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.Data was collected by psychiatrists usingthe Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) tool along with the WHO QoL BREF versionHADS (Hamilton Anxietyand Depression Scale) and GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) tools. Among the participants, the lowest scores for WHOQOL-BREF werereported in the psychological domain of health (mean=11.6; SD=2.3), followed by the social domain (mean=12.2; SD=3.3) and environmental domains (mean=13.8; SD=2.4). The highest score was seen in the physical health domain (mean=13.9; SD=2.6). In general, the QoL was better among females than males. We found a significant association between the socio-demographic characteristicssuch as social support and the quality of life in schizophrenia. Significantly higher scores wererecorded from respondents who had good financial and living conditions and this was seen in all domains of the quality of life.