[The condition of families of patients with schizophrenia in Italy: burden, social network and professional support].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to describe: a) the interventions received by patients with schizophrenia attending Italian mental health services (MHS); b) the relatives' burden and social network and the professional support received by the families.


METHODS
The study has been carried out in 30 MHS, randomly selected and stratified by geographic areas and population density. 25 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and 25 relatives were recruited in each MHS. Family burden was evaluated in relation to: a) geographic area; b) interventions received by the patients; c) social and professional support received by the families.


METHODS
a) patients: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Disability Assessment Interview (AD); b) key-relatives: Family Problems Questionnaire (QPF) and Social Network Questionnaire (QRS); c) interventions received by the patients and their families: Scheda di Rilevazione degli Interventi--Pattern of Care Schedule (SRI).


RESULTS
Data on 709 patients and their key-relatives were collected. In the two months preceding the data collection, 35% of patients attended rehabilitative programmes; 80% of the families were in regular contact with the MHS and 8% received family psychoeducational interventions. Family burden was higher in Southern than in Central and Northern Italy. This difference disappeared when rehabilitative interventions and family support were provided.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights that the situation of the families of patients with schizophrenia is more burdensome in Southern Italy and is greatly influenced by the type of interventions provided by the MHS.
Magliano
L
L
Istitúto di Psichiatria, Università di Napoli SUN, Largo Madonna delle Grazie, 80138 Napoli. lorenza.magliano@unina2.it
Malangone
C
C
Guarneri
M
M
Marasco
C
C
Fiorillo
A
A
Maj
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012944:Social Support
La situazione delle famiglie dei pazienti con schizofrenia in Italia: carico familiare, risposte dei SSM, sostegno sociale.