Adult quality of life and associated factors in adolescent onset schizophrenia and affective psychotic disorders

Abstract

Background: Subjects in treatment for affective disorders are usually less satisfied with life compared to subjects with schizophrenia.

Aims: The aims of this study were to compare subjective quality of life (QoL) at adult age of adolescent onset psychotic disorders and analyse associated factors.

Method: Fifty-three patients with adolescent onset psychotic disorders were followed up at age 25, diagnostically re-evaluated according to the DSM-IV and assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale, the Strauss-Carpenter Scale and the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile.

Results: Subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 27) experienced significantly lower overall QoL than subjects with psychotic mood disorders (n = 26). Overall QoL was strongly associated to depressed mood (R2 = 0.49) in the schizophrenia group and to degree of employment (R2 = 0.39) in the mood disordered group.

Conclusion: Depression is a major concern in the evaluation and treatment of patients with schizophrenia, while vocational support seems particularly important after an episode of psychotic mood disorder.