Correlates of subjective and functional outcomes in outpatient clinic attendees with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Abstract

Outcome in schizophrenia is multidimensional and, thus, consists of clinical,humanitarian, rehabilitative and cost domains. Accordingly, recovery is conceptualized as the ability to function in the community, socially and vocationally, as well as being relatively free of disease–related psychopathology. The present cross–sectional study examined the relationship of premorbid functioning, psychopathology, insight, attitudes toward medication and side–effects, as well as sociodemographic factors with treatment outcomes in terms of quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial functioning among 60 regular attendees of a specialized schizophrenia outpatient clinic. Both insight into the illness as well as attitudes toward treatment indicated satisfactory compliance. Premorbid school and social functioning were positively correlated with actual employment status, and premorbid social functioning was further positively correlated with QOL and global functioning. Attitudes toward treatment were positively associated with global QOL, and with the patients' living situation. Both positive and negative symptoms as well as asthenia were negatively associated with QOL, while cognitive symptoms negatively influenced occupational functioning. Older patients lived independently and/or in a partnership more often, but had a lesser likelihood of competitive employment. Our observations suggest that subjective and functional outcomes in highly compliant patients are mainly predicted by psychopathological symptoms and unchangeable sociodemographic variables.