Subjective quality of life of schizophrenic patient: Effect of treatment setting, psychopathology and extrapyramidal-motoric side-effects

Objective: In a cross-sectional study in 79 schizophrenic patients the qual ity of life (QOL) of a group of community-based patients under supervision of an outpatient unit (n = 47) and a group of long-stay patients in an inpa tient rehabilitation centre in the same area (n = 32) was compared. Methods: The patients' QOL was evaluated using the Lancashire Quality of Li fe Profile. Moreover psychopathology and extrapyramidal-motoric side-effect s were assessed. Results: Long-stay patients had a more distinct psychopathological symptoma tology and more severe side-effects than community-based patients. After ad justment for psychopathology and side-effects, the subjective QOL of long-s tay patients was significantly reduced in two out of eight life domains: ho using and leisure activities. While psychopathology was negatively correlat ed with QOL, a subgroup with very marked psychopathology showed unexpectedl y high QOL ratings. Conclusions: Results suggest that psychopathology is a stronger predictor o f subjective QOL than side-effects and treatment setting. Patients with ver y distinct psychopathology probably use lower standards than others when ev aluating their QOL which should be taken into consideration when analysing this type of data.