Relatives of patients with severe psychotic disorders: factors that influence contact frequency - Report from the UK700 trial

Background The isolation experienced by many patients with severe psychotic disorders is generally assumed to be due to their social withdrawal. An al ternative possibility is that relatives avoid frequent contact with patient s because they find the situation distressing. Aims To examine the predictors of frequent patient-relative contact, in par ticular the role of relatives' experience. Method UK700 trial data were used to determine baseline predictors of frequ ent contact and establish whether relatives' experience at baseline predict ed continued frequent contact 2 years later. Results Neither characteristics associated in the literature with relatives ' 'burden' nor relatives' experience predicted patient- relative contact fr equency Instead, the predictors were mainly demographic. Conclusions Many relatives experience considerable distress, but the eviden ce does not suggest that they avoid frequent contact with the patient as a consequence. Declaration of interest The UK700 trial was funded by grants from the UK De partment of Health and the NHS Research and Development programme.