The Malaga schizophrenia case-register (RESMA): overview of methodology and patient cohort.
BACKGROUND
Little information has become available after psychiatric reforms regarding outcomes of persons with schizophrenia and related disorders cared for in community-based mental health facilities.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of psychiatric services in the users of mental health services in Malaga.


METHODS
We describe the cohort and methods involved in the Schizophrenia Case Register (RESMA) in Malaga, Spain. All cases (n = 1,022) were users of public mental health services provided in the catchment area over one year. The majority were male (65%), single (68%), living with their original family (50%), with primary education (41%) and living on disability benefits (52%).


RESULTS
Concerning use of services, the majority had out-patient contacts (89%).


RESULTS
s show a substantial overlap in the use of different services during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The Malaga Schizophrenia Case Register provides sociodemographic, clinical and service use information for a large sample of patients with schizophrenia or related disorders. Results obtained from the cohort studied will be instrumental for the follow-up and evaluation of the mental health care reform.
Moreno-Küstner
Berta
B
Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, IMABIS Foundation Avda Principal del Candado, 15 degrees C-1, 29018 Málaga, Spain. bertamk@uma.es
Mayoral
Fermín
F
Pérez
Olga
O
García-Herrera
José María
JM
Algarra
José
J
Rivas
Fabio
F
Pérez
Rita
R
Becerra
Francisco
F
Gornemann
Isolde
I
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology