Factors associated with health‐related quality of life in long‐stay inpatients with chronic schizophrenia

Abstract

Abstract Aim Few studies have investigated the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in long‐stay inpatients with chronic schizophrenia in Japan. This study aimed to clarify the factors associated with HRQoL among these patients. Methods Out of 238 patients with chronic schizophrenia admitted to three hospitals, 101 inpatients provided informed consent to participate in the study. The patients' HRQoL was assessed using two instruments: the EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ‐5D) as a generic index and the Subjective Well‐being Under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale, Japanese Version (SWNS‐J) as a disease‐specific index. We examined the factors associated with these HRQoL indices using multiple linear regression models. Results The patients' mean age was 62.9 years, and 51.5% were female. The mean (standard deviation) EQ‐5D score and SWNS‐J total score were 0.776 (0.177) and 83.5 (16.5), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the EQ‐5D score was significantly and negatively associated with the female sex, benzodiazepine use, and Drug‐Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale scores. In contrast, the SWNS‐J total score was significantly and negatively associated with first‐generation antipsychotics use, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores, Drug‐Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale scores, and Global Assessment of Functioning scale scores. Conclusion This study identified the factors associated with two HRQoL indices among long‐stay inpatients with chronic schizophrenia in Japan. Although the analyses showed differences in the associated factors between the generic EQ‐5D and the disease‐specific SWNS‐J, extrapyramidal symptoms as adverse effects of antipsychotic treatment were found to be associated with both indices.

Keywords

• chronic schizophrenia
• extrapyramidal symptoms
• inpatients
• long‐stay
• quality of life