Disparity between objective and subjective ratings of quality of life in schizophrenia

Abstract

Summary Component: role limitations-emotional, social functioning, and mental health] and the Health Status item from the EUROQoL-5D. Psychopathology was assessed with the five symptom dimensions from PANSS: positive, negative, cognitive, depression, and excitement symptoms. Results Significant intercorrelations were found among QLS subscales: IRP with IRF [r(38) = 0.65, p < 0.001], IF [r(38) = 0.85, p < 0.001], and COA [r(38) = 0.70, p <0.001]; IRF with IF [r(38) = 0.74, p < 0.001] and COA [r(40) = 0.62, p < 0.001]; IF with COA [r(38) = 0.74, p < 0.001]. Also, significant intercorrelations were found between subjective quality of life ratings: Physical Component-SF-36 with Mental Component-F-36 [r(38) = 0.76, p < 0.001] and Health Status [r(38) = 0.70, p = 0.001]; Mental Component-36 with Health Status [r(38) = 0.67, p = 0.001]. However, the four QLS subscales did not correlate with patient-reported quality of life ratings, except IRP with Mental Component-F-36 [r(38) = 0.42, p = 0.01]. Negative symptoms were significantly related with scores on the IPR [r(38) = -0.77, p = 0.001], IRF [r(38) = -0.46, p = 0.01], IF [r(38) = -0.70, p = 0.001], and COA [r(38) = 0.63, p = 0.001], whereas cognitive symptoms with scores on the IPR [r(38) = -0.37, p = 0.05] and IF [r(38) = -0.33, p = 0.05]. Mental Component was significantly correlated with positive symptoms [r(38) = -0.37, p = 0.05] and negative symptoms [r(38) = -0.39, p = 0.05], while Health Status was significantly associated with depression [r(38) = -0.32, p = 0.05]. No other significant relationships were found between quality of life scales and symptom ratings.