Abstract
Objectives. Relatively little research has been done on the quality of life (QoL) of community-living people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the quality of life in a group of patients with a relatively long duration of the illness, receiving systematic outpatient care.
Methods. Participants were 64 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia by the DSM-IV criteria and treated for many years under a special outpatient care program in Cracow. Subjective and objective indicators of their QoL measured at seven (K7) and twelve (K12) years after their first hospitalization using a Polish adaptation of the Lehman Quality of Life Interview were compared.
Results. Subjective QoL indicators turned out to be relatively stable over the period under study – a significant change (improvement) was found only as regards self-estimated social relations (p<0,01). At the same time a decrease was noted in objective QoL indicators in the following spheres: social relations (p=0,01), financial situation (p=0,01), health (p=0,01), and religion (p=0,01).
Conclusions. In persons suffering from schizophrenia an increase in subjective satisfaction with extrafamilial relationships was noted in the period between 7 and 12 years from their first hospitalization, with a simultaneous decrease in objective QoL indicators in this sphere, as well as in these regarding their financial situation, health and religion.