title: In patients with schizophrenia, symptoms improvement can be uncorrelated with quality of life improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality of life has been found to be associated with symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Nevertheless, the mechanism that underlies this association is still unclear. The objective of this paper is to prospectively evaluate the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in relation to the concurrent evolution of their symptoms, their expectations and their perceived position in life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 306 outpatients with schizophrenia who were interviewed at baseline, 6 and 12 months, about their quality of life (Outcome revealed by Preference in Schizophrenia, OPS) and symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quality of life relative to subject expectations remained stable over time. A decrease in symptoms was correlated to an increase in both expectations and perceived position in life but did not correlate to quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of expectations seems to play a major role in the subjective assessment of quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Symptom improvement is not necessarily associated with quality of life improvement relative to subject expectations. Caregivers should be aware of this result so as to deal with possible disappointments in patients receiving a new efficient treatment.
authors.affiliation: Inserm U669, Maison de Solenn, 97, boulevard du Port-Royal, 75679 Paris cedex 14, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson-d'Almeida
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karrow
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bralet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bazin
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hardy-Baylé
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Falissard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents