Effects of six months of clozapine treatment on the quality of life of chronic schizophrenic patients.

The effect of approximately six months of treatment with clozapine on the quality of life of 38 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients was prospectively studied in an open trial. The Quality of Life Scale was used to provide an objective measure of changes in patients' psychosocial functioning. Significant improvement was noted on all four factors of the scale. The ratings tended to be negatively correlated with ratings on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale at baseline and at six months. At 12 months, patients' rehospitalization rate was reduced by 83 percent and was independent of the six-month quality-of-life ratings.