Subjective Quality of Life in Schizophrenic Outpatients in a Catalan Urban Site

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the subjective quality of life of chronic schizophrenic outpatients living in an urban site in Catalonia (Spain) during a stable phase of the illness. We included 44 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of psychotic disorder. Sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment variables were obtained and compared with the subjective quality of life as assessed by the Lehman Quality of Life Interview-short version. The descriptive analysis of the subjective quality of life profile obtained in our sample shows moderate levels of satisfaction in most subscales. Results regarding comparisons showed that sociodemographic, clinical, premorbid adjustment and treatment variables were only related to subjective quality of life in particular life domains and in a nonconclusive way. The need to include other relevant variables such as insight or psychological traits in the study of the quality of life phenomenon in schizophrenia is highlighted.