The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #33216

Patricia Russo, Director, Outcomes Research and Econometrics, The MEDSTAT Group, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20008, 202 719-7826, pat.russo@medstat.com and Mark Smith, PhD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Suite 152, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

Objective: Examine relationship between self-reported and clinically assessed quality of life (QoL) among participants in the U.S. Schizophrenia Care and Assessment Program (SCAP).

Methods: Data obtained at 12-month assessment (n=908). Clinical instruments: Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Self-report instruments: Life Satisfaction (LifeSat) scale and Depression scale (SCAP Health Questionnaire). Regression analyses conducted.

Results: Correlation between subjective and objective scales were significant (magnitudes: 0.2 to 0.6). QLS was inversely impacted by PANSS (p<0.001) and MADRS (p<0.001). Self-reported LifeSat was impacted by MADRS (p<0.001) and not symptoms (PANSS). MADRS effect was 38% greater on LifeSat than QLS. QLS sub-scales (common objects; activities, interpersonal relations) were significantly related to LifeSat (p<0.01; p<0.001). In the presence of MADRS, significance of clinical and QLS subscales diminished and R-squared increased. Clinically assessed and self-reported depression were related (0.38; p<0.001).

Conclusions: Findings demonstrate: 1) self-reports and clinical assessments are interrelated (QoL and depression); 2) clinical symptoms and side effects are not important drivers of self-reported QoL; 3) depression is an important factor in patients’ own sense of life satisfaction; and 4) depression exhibits a mediating effect between psychiatric symptoms and QoL.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to recognize the relationship between patient self-reported quality of life and clinically assessed quality of life.

Keywords: Mental Health, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.