Determinants of Quality of Life in Spanish outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

• Published in: The European journal of psychiatry 2018-07, Vol.32 (3), p.113-121
• Main Authors: Arraras, J.I., Ibañez, B., Basterra, I., Pereda, N., Martin, M., Iribarren, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Determinants; Quality Life; Schizoaffective; Schizophrenia; Spanish
• ISSN: 0213-6163; 2340-4469
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2017.11.001

Quality of Life (QoL) studies of patients with psychosis living in the community and of its determinants can help to improve support offered to patients. This study evaluates QoL in Spanish outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and attempts to identify the QoL determinants. Sixty-one patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and stable disease, completed the generic WHOQOL-BREF, EUROQOL-5D-5L and the specific SQLS-R4 QoL scales and the SCIP (cognitive impairment), SAI-E (insight), and Calgary (depression) scales. SANS (Scales for Assessment of Negative Symptoms) and SAPS (Scales for Assessment of Positive Symptoms) and selected items from the QOLI-BV were also evaluated. Frequencies in the clinical, demographic and QoL variables were studied. Univariate and multivariate regression models were fitted to assess how clinical and demographic characteristics influence subjective QoL. Multivariate regression models were fitted with all explanatory variables found to be significant in univariate analysis. Mean QoL scores were 58.8 in EUROQOL-health and 0.8 in EUROQOL-value, and ranged between 49.2 and 62.7 in WHOQOL-BREF and between 38.9 and 43.3 (QoL limitations) in SQLS-R4. Negative symptoms and depression were significantly related to the nine QoL areas studied. Age, gender, social activities, employment status, time since diagnosis, and insight were also related to QoL. The percentage of variance in the QoL areas explained in multivariate regression models ranged from 25 to 56%. QoL was moderate in this sample of Spanish schizophrenia spectrum outpatients. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were found to be determinants of QoL. These patients could benefit from multidisciplinary treatment to improve their QoL.