Measuring quality of life in first-episode psychosis

I Melle, Svein Friis, U Haahr, Jan Olav Johannesen, Tor Ketil Larsen, S Opjordsmoen, J I Roessberg, B R Rund, Erik Simonsen, P Vaglum, T McGlashan

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44 Citationer (Scopus)

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 10 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.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEuropean Psychiatry
Vol/bind20
Udgave nummer7
Sider (fra-til)474-83
Antal sider10
ISSN0924-9338
DOI
StatusUdgivet - nov. 2005

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