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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kushik Jaga, MBBS, MPH¹, Cecile Sison, PhD², Edward R. Allan, MD², Christopher R. Bowie, PhD¹, and Philip D. Harvey, PhD¹. (1) Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1425 Madison Ave 4th Floor, New York, NY 10029, (914)737-4400 ext 3479, Kushik.Jaga@med.va.gov, (2) Research and Development, VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, 2094 Albany Post Road, Montrose, NY 10548

Introduction: The course of illness in chronic schizophrenics is known to affect the functional status of patients over time. Psychotic symptoms also vary with age and determine the health outcome of patients such as; well being and physical functioning. In this study, functional status of outpatients with chronic schizophrenia was compared across age groups.

Methods: Outpatients aged 50 and above diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were included (168). Symptom severity was measured by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Functional status was assessed with both a performance-based (UPSA) and observer rated (SLOF) measures. Mean scores of the PANSS, UPSA and SLOF variables were compared between 4 age groups; 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, >= 65, using Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlation analysis examined relationships between PANSS and UPSA and SLOF categories.

Results: Total UPSA scores declined with increasing age (p=0.015), with a trend towards lower scores for interpersonal communication skills (p=0.06). The Activity category of the SLOF showed a significant decline with increasing age. The PANSS general psychopathology scores were significantly lower in ages above 65 years versus younger patients (p=0.03). The PANSS positive scale was correlated with UPSA total scores (p=0.03), while the PANSS negative scale correlated with total SLOF scores (p=0.028).

Conclusion: With increasing age schizophrenic patients are more likely to demonstrate poorer functional abilities and have increasingly impaired functional ("real world") performance. Older schizophrenia patients might have different community-based and home care needs.

Learning Objectives:

1. There will be an understanding of chronic schizophrenia in elderly patients. It will be expected that with increasing age, these patients would show a decline in functional status with age.
• To identity targeted research in mental health, studying morbidity, quality of life, functional status and well being in schizophrenia.
• To create and develop community care programs with improved care and rehabilitation, based on the needs of elderly schizophrenic patients.

Keywords: Mental Health, Community-Based Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 69.0 kb)