Meta-analysis of rates of drop-out from psychosocial treatment among persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Non-compliance with pharmacotherapy among persons suffering from schizophrenia disorders stands at an average rate of 42% and is the subject of numerous studies. However, no studies to date have addressed the specific question of non-compliance with psychosocial treatment. The present study therefore aimed to determine the rate of drop-out from psychosocial treatment and to assess the influence of factors on this rate.


METHODS
A meta-analysis was conducted based on 74 studies of randomized clinical trials on psychosocial treatment among persons suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorder.


RESULTS
A drop-out rate of 13% was obtained. Age, gender, duration of illness, duration of treatment, treatment setting and study quality affected drop-out rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The 13% rate of drop-out from psychosocial treatment is markedly lower than the drop-out rate from pharmacotherapy studies. This finding supports the feasibility of evidence-based psychosocial treatment - which has, moreover, clearly been shown to be clinically effective - as part of a complete care program for schizophrenia.
Villeneuve
K
K
Biomedical Sciences, Fernand-Seguin Research Centre, Hôpital Louis-H. Lafontaine, Unit 218, 7401 Hochelaga, Montréal, Québec, Canada H1N 3M5. kathe.villeneuve.hlhl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Potvin
S
S
Lesage
A
A
Nicole
L
L
D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome