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The 5-year outcome of subjective quality of life in older schizophrenia patients

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Abstract

Purpose

Subjective quality of life (SQOL) is increasingly valued as an important outcome in schizophrenia treatment. The current study aims to gain insight into changes in SQOL during 5-year follow-up in older persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD).

Methods

The sample consisted of a catchment area-based group of 75 older Dutch patients (mean age 66.0 years) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Factor analysis was used to identify subdomains of SQOL, measured with the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). 5-Year course trajectories and putative predictors of changes in SQOL and subdomains were examined using multivariable regression analyses.

Results

72% was stable in either a high or a low SQOL-status over time. When outcome was defined as change score, 36%, 20%, and 44% of participants, respectively, reported a clinically relevant improvement, deterioration, or no change of SQOL during follow-up. Three SQOL subdomains were identified with different course trajectories; 33% of participants reported an improvement in the subdomains satisfaction with ‘daily life’ and ‘personal circumstances.’ The largest number of declines (28%) was reported in the subdomain satisfaction with ‘physical and mental health.’ Predictors of positive total and subdomain SQOL-change scores were limited to a higher age of onset and higher baseline SQOL scores.

Conclusion

In this cohort of older persons, it was demonstrated that SQOL might considerably change during 5-year follow-up. As course trajectories differed among subdomains, separate evaluation of these subdomains is clinically relevant. Improvement of SQOL is an attainable goal in older SSD patients despite deteriorating physical health.

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Funding

The funding source did not have any influence on the study design.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sjors M. M. Lange, Max L. Stek, Brenda W. Penninx & Didi Rhebergen

  2. GGZ InGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Oldenaller 1, 1081 HJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sjors M. M. Lange, Max L. Stek, Brenda W. Penninx & Didi Rhebergen

  3. Department of Research and Education, Friesland Mental Health Services, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

    Paul D. Meesters

Authors
  1. Sjors M. M. Lange
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Contributions

PDM collected the data. SL managed the literature searches and analyses, undertook the statistical analysis, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sjors M. M. Lange.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

All authors have approved the manuscript for submission. We confirm that the manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere. Each named author has substantially contributed to conducting the underlying research and drafting this manuscript. This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam.

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Lange, S.M.M., Meesters, P.D., Stek, M.L. et al. The 5-year outcome of subjective quality of life in older schizophrenia patients. Qual Life Res 31, 2471–2479 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-03062-2

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