Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9379886 | European Psychiatry | 2005 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Quality of life (QoL) measures are increasingly recognized as necessary parts of outcome assessments in psychosis. The present paper is a comprehensive study of patients with first-episode psychosis where QoL is measured by the commonly used Lehman Quality of Life Interview (L-QoLI). The aim is to examine if the L-QoLI maintain its original structure when used in a group of patients with first-episode psychosis, and to investigate what determines global subjective QoL with a specific emphasis on premorbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and clinical symptoms. The study indicates that the psychometric properties of the L-QoLI do not change significantly when used in first-episode samples. The patients report subjective and objective QoL in the fair to good range, with only a moderate association between the objective and subjective measures. Poor global satisfaction is predicted by being single, abusing drugs, being depressed, having a diagnosis of psychotic affective disorder, having poor premorbid social adjustment and DUP over 10Â weeks. The study supports the notion that patients with first-episode psychosis construct QoL in the same way as other groups, and that longer durations of compromised function at this stage produces poor satisfaction with life rather than a downward readjustment of expectations.
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Authors
I. Melle, S. Friis, U. Haahr, J.O. Johannesen, T.K. Larsen, S. Opjordsmoen, J.I. Roessberg, B.R. Rund, E. Simonsen, P. Vaglum, T. McGlashan,