Determinants of quality of life at first presentation with schizophrenia

Background Quality of life(QOL) has gained importance as a global measure o f social and clinical outcome in schizophrenia. Aims To identify the clinical correlates of QOL at the time of first presen tation with schizophrenia. Method Over two years, consecutive first-episode psychosis patients present ing to a catchment area psychiatric service underwent validated clinical as sessments of premorbid adjustment, illness duration, symptoms and QOL. Results At presentation, subjects already had a diminished QOL. Although in dependent of gender and age at onset of psychosis,QOL was influenced by pre morbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis and symptoms. Conclusions Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis may have a benefic ial effect on the subsequent QOL of patients presenting with schizophrenia. First-episode patients with a protracted duration of untreated psychosis o r impaired premorbid adjustment may warrant specific treatment intervention s to prevent the development of secondary handicaps. Declaration of interest This study was funded by the Stanley Research Found ation.