P. Tibbo et al., Global assessment of functioning following assertive community treatment in Edmonton, Alberta: A longitudinal study, CAN J PSY, 46(2), 2001, pp. 144-148
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
Objective: To examine longitudinal the efforts of Assertive Community Treat
ment (ACT) or Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores in Edmonton, Al
berta.
Methods: We acquired GAF scores for all clients at initial registration in
the ACT program and at subsequent 18- and 36-month time points while in ACT
. We analyzed both the entire ACT cohort and separate diagnostic groups.
Results: We obtained baseline and follow-up GAF scores for 411 clients, of
whom the largest diagnostic group suffered from schizophrenia (n = 189), fo
llowed by bipolar disorder (n = 98). Collapsed across all groups, GAF score
s significantly improved at both 18 (P < 0.0001) and 36 months (P < 0.0001)
. By group, at 18-month follow-up, significant improvements were seen in pa
tients with delusional disorder (P < 0.05), dysthymia (P < 0.05), schizoaff
ective disorder (P < 0.05), and schizophrenia (P < 0.001). This was also se
en at 36-month follow-up. with the addition of significant improvements in
those with bipolar disorder (P < 0.05). Those patients with major affective
disorder or psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS) did not show significa
nt improvements over time. Regardless of diagnosis, those clients with base
line GAF scores of <less than or equal to> 40 significantly improved at bot
h 18-month (P < 0.0001) and 36-month (P < 0.0001) follow-up, while those wi
th baseline GAF scores above 40 did not show significant improvement.
Conclusions: GAF scores improved at 18- and 36-month follow-up from enrolme
nt in an ACT program. Groups with different diagnoses and levels of functio
ning at time of enrolment may not benefit to the same degree.