Objective: To determine whether persons with deficit syndrome exhibit lower quality of life than do their counterparts. Methods: Baseline QLS data (n=781; mean=56) from the U.S. Schizophrenia Care and Assessment Program (SCAP) were used and were modeled as a linear function of covariates, including demographic, clinical, medication adherence, and site variables. Presence of deficit syndrome was assigned based on proxy methods (Kirkpatrick B., et al., 1993). Results: Modeling revealed that deficit syndrome had a negative impact of 4.7 points (p<.001) on quality of life score (range 0-120). Those having higher hallucinations/delusions scores (p<.001) exhibited lower QLS scores and those with higher functioning scores (GAF; p<.001) exhibited higher QLS scores. The presence of insurance other than Medicare or Medicaid (as compared to no insurance) revealed a positive relationship. A significant (negative) effect was observed on one site variable. Weak evidence was obtained (p=.0587) indicating a positive association between higher education level and QLS score. Conclusions: Findings suggest that persons with deficit syndrome experience lower quality of life than those who are non-deficit. The result is expected given the use of clinical assessment of quality of life and is contrary to the expectation of higher self-reported quality of life for persons with deficit. The impact of deficit syndrome is at least five times greater than that of hallucinations/delusions. The interpretation of significance on the insurance and site variables is less clear and may suggest that the observed variation is a result of an unobserved mediating process, such as selection or differential access.
Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to identify key factors in the determination of QoL;
Keywords: Quality of Life, Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.