FACTORS AFFECTING RELAPSE IN PATIENTS DISCHARGED FROM A PUBLIC HOSPITAL - RESULTS FROM SURVIVAL ANALYSIS

This study examined the effects of demographics, personal resources, a nd psychiatric characteristics on relapse risk in patients discharged from two state facilities. Data on 2002 first admissions to an Oklahom a state hospital and an associated CMHC during a single year, and info rmation on readmissions of these patients to any of the seven state fa cilities providing inpatient treatment for an additional two years wer e collected. Data were analyzed by survival analysis with the Cox regr ession model. Out of the different demographic, social and psychiatric variables, the patients' diagnosis, length of index hospitalization a nd level of functioning at discharge as well as interaction of employm ent status and living status and interaction of age and living status were significantly related to relapse rate. These findings are discuss ed in the context of previous research.