Patient outcomes in schizophrenia I: correlates with sociodemographic variables, psychopathology, and side effects.
OBJECTIVE
The present cross-sectional study examined the relationships of psychopathology, side effects, and sociodemographic factors with treatment outcomes in terms of patients' quality of life (QOL), functioning, and needs for care.


METHODS
Sixty outpatients with chronic schizophrenia who had been treated with either clozapine or olanzapine for at least 6 months were investigated.


RESULTS
Most psychopathological symptoms as well as psychic side effects, weight gain, and female sex were associated with lower QOL, while cognitive symptoms correlated with better QOL. Female sex, cognitive symptoms, and parkinsonism negatively influenced occupational functioning, and negative symptoms determined a lesser likelihood of living independently. Age, education, depression/anxiety, negative symptoms, and psychic side effects were predictors of patients' needs for care.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results highlight the complex nature of patient outcomes in schizophrenia. They reemphasize the need of targeting effectiveness, i.e. both symptomatic improvement as well as drug safety, in such patients.
Hofer
Alex
A
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. a.hofer@uibk.ac.at
Baumgartner
Susanne
S
Edlinger
Monika
M
Hummer
Martina
M
Kemmler
Georg
G
Rettenbacher
Maria A
MA
Schweigkofler
Hansjoerg
H
Schwitzer
Josef
J
Fleischhacker
W Wolfgang
WW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine; D000077152:Olanzapine