R Tempier1, N Pawliuk. 1. McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave., Montreal QC H3G 1A4. raymond.tempier@muhc.mcgill.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of novel antipsychotic medication on the subjective quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data from 2 studies conducted in 1997 and 1998. PATIENTS: 91 outpatients (50 men and 41 women, mean age 43.3 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 70) and schizoaffective disorder (n = 21); the mean Global Assessment of Functioning score for these patients was 48.0 (standard deviation 12.5). OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: those taking conventional (n = 41), novel (n = 26) or mixed (both conventional and novel) (n = 24) antipsychotics. Responses on the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale were used to assess subjective quality of life. RESULTS: The type of antipsychotic medication taken did not influence satisfaction with life scores; in fact, 2 items dealing with social relationships were scored lower by those taking novel antipsychotics. CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking novel antipsychotics may expect more from life, and this might explain their lower quality-of-life scores.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of novel antipsychotic medication on the subjective quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data from 2 studies conducted in 1997 and 1998. PATIENTS: 91 outpatients (50 men and 41 women, mean age 43.3 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 70) and schizoaffective disorder (n = 21); the mean Global Assessment of Functioning score for these patients was 48.0 (standard deviation 12.5). OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: those taking conventional (n = 41), novel (n = 26) or mixed (both conventional and novel) (n = 24) antipsychotics. Responses on the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale were used to assess subjective quality of life. RESULTS: The type of antipsychotic medication taken did not influence satisfaction with life scores; in fact, 2 items dealing with social relationships were scored lower by those taking novel antipsychotics. CONCLUSIONS:Patients taking novel antipsychotics may expect more from life, and this might explain their lower quality-of-life scores.