Needs and its relation to symptom dimensions in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the association between symptom dimensions in schizophrenia and number and type of met and unmet needs.


METHODS
A sample of 231 outpatients randomly selected from a register that included all patients treated in 5 mental health care centres (MHCC) was evaluated. Assessment instruments included the Camberwell Assessment of Needs (CAN) questionnaire and the PANSS.


RESULTS
Number of needs are related to overall severity of psychopathology. Patients with more symptoms have more total needs (p < 0.001) and unmet needs (p < 0.001). A multiple lineal regression model showed that the disorganized and excited dimensions of the PANSS are the most important components for explaining the variance of number of needs. Type of needs is related to subtypes of schizophrenia, specially with disorganized and excited symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial needs are related to schizophrenia subtypes. Patients with more needs are those with more disorganized and excitatory symptoms.
Ochoa
S
S
Research and Development Unit, Sant Joan de Déu-SSM, C/ Dr. Pujades, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. sochoa@sjd-ssm.com
Haro
J M
JM
Usall
J
J
Autonell
J
J
Vicens
E
E
Asensio
F
F
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013030:Spain