[Subjective view of positive symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was the investigation of positive symptoms and quality of life from the subjective perspective of patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
We assessed self- and expert-rated positive symptoms (semi-structured interview), standardized psychopathology (PANSS), subjective well-being (SWN) and QOL (MSLQ) in n=59 patients.


RESULTS
Patients reported that ideas of grandiosity and hallucinations of dialogue voices were less distressing compared with command voices, malevolent voices and delusional ideas of persecution. Patients with high levels of distress reported significant lower subjective well-being (SWN: t=2.27; p<0.05) and QOL (MSLQ: t=2.01; p<0.05), but showed no differences in symptom severity (PANSS: t=-0,98; p=n. s.) compared with patients with low subjective distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Distress caused by positive symptoms reflected the individual meaning of the symptoms and was associated with lower quality of life.
Karow
Anne
A
Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg. karow@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Schäfer
Ingo
I
Hirdes
Florian
F
Osterwald
Claudia
C
Naber
Dieter
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012803:Sick Role
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents