Influence of novel and conventional antipsychotic medication on subjective quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of novel antipsychotic medication on the subjective quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.


METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data from 2 studies conducted in 1997 and 1998.


METHODS
91 outpatients (50 men and 41 women, mean age 43.3 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 70) and schizoaffective disorder (n = 21); the mean Global Assessment of Functioning score for these patients was 48.0 (standard deviation 12.5).


METHODS
Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: those taking conventional (n = 41), novel (n = 26) or mixed (both conventional and novel) (n = 24) antipsychotics. Responses on the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale were used to assess subjective quality of life.


RESULTS
The type of antipsychotic medication taken did not influence satisfaction with life scores; in fact, 2 items dealing with social relationships were scored lower by those taking novel antipsychotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients taking novel antipsychotics may expect more from life, and this might explain their lower quality-of-life scores.
Tempier
R
R
McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave., Montreal QC H3G 1A4. raymond.tempier@muhc.mcgill.ca
Pawliuk
N
N
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents