A cluster analysis of patients with schizophrenia in community care.

Abstract

In a sample of patients with schizophrenia, four clusters were identified and service use and relatives' satisfaction analyzed. In the first cluster, patients' severity of illness was mild and their use of services low. In the second, patients' disability was more severe; psychiatric symptoms were low in severity, family burden was moderate, and use of community services was more intensive. In the third cluster, patients had serious disability and severe positive symptoms; their families suffered distressing burdens, and their use of hospital and community services was intensive. In the fourth cluster, patients' disability was very severe, negative symptoms were prominent, and relatives' burden was moderate; use of hospital services was frequent, and use of community services was less so.