Quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction

Schizophrenia, with its high prevalence, chronic progression and social impact, is a major challenge for health professionals. For this reason it is important to assess the impact of this disease on these patients, mainly on their quality of life.

Objectives

To study the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and determine the factors correlated with it.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 28 patients with schizophrenia followed up at the psychiatric consultation in Hédi Chaker University Hospital of Sfax. Data collection was performed using a sheet exploring socio-demographic and clinical data. We used the Quality of Life Scale (Q-LES-Q-SF).

Results

The average age of our patients was 40.61±6.27 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was1.15. The socioeconomic level was low in 71.4%. The average number of relapses was 3.04±1.4. Follow-up and compliance were good in 28.6% of cases. The average number of hospitalizations was 3.04±1.4. The average of quality of life in patients with schizophrenia was 21±5.74. The quality of life was affected with age (p=0.023), with the high number of relapses and with a higher number of hospitalizations in psychiatric hospital (p=0.008). Quality of life was improved with regular follow-up and good adherence to the treatment (p=0.000).

Conclusions

The quality of life in mental disorders was impaired mainly in schizophrenics, hence the need to evaluate in a codified way the quality of life of our patients in order to raise awareness among general practitioners as well as psychiatrists to improve the therapeutic and social care of patients.