Ulla Karilampi

Remission in prognosis of functional outcome: A new dimension in the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders ☆

INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not the new concept of remission in the treatment of schizophrenia is of importance for functional outcome. The hypothesis was that patients having attained remission would function at a higher level and have a lower care requirement than those who had not attained remission. MATERIALS AND METHODS Remission is defined through the application of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) instrument whereby none of the eight chosen items, representing core symptoms, should be found to present a value exceeding 3 points. The utility of attaining the severity criteria for remission, or not, was examined with regard to activity of daily living (ADL) ability, establishment of social functioning and social network, and amount of health care and community support that the patient consumed. Two hundred and forty-three patients were examined, of whom 93 patients (38%) had attained remission and 150 patients (62%) had not. The present patient population, consisting of 50% of all available patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder within a homogeneous catchment area in NU Health Care, western Sweden, meeting the right diagnostic criteria, were in their habitual condition and were unaffected by any other functionally debilitating disorder, in particular dementia. As a control patients diagnoses were used as the independent variable to exclude that they better explain outcome than remission. RESULTS It was found that patients that attainted the specified remission criteria showed a significantly superior outcome in all assessed areas with regard to activity of daily life, social functioning in society and consumption of health care. Remission patients functioned more effectively in social contexts in association with superior education, more often had occupations, possessed more established social networks and were more likely to be found living under family-like conditions. They exhibited a lower need for support in order to fulfill their everyday activities. Also, patients in remission required markedly less health care resources, both in the form of psychiatric treatment and community habitation support. In contrast diagnoses only made difference in 4 of 14 outcome parameters. DISCUSSION The results suggest that the concept of remission has important implications for the treatment of patients with chronic psychosis. One possible conclusion is that if more patients attain remission, the patients and societys burden resulting from the illness will decrease.

Illness-related components for the family burden of relatives to patients with psychotic illness

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that symptom severity often implies an increased family burden. Few other illness-related variables have, however, been investigated in this context. This study investigates how family burden is affected by symptom, function, and cognition, as well as how the patient perceives his/her illness and quality of life.MethodA total of 99 relatives, to as many patients diagnosed with psychosis and with their illness at a stable level, participated in this study. The relatives estimated their perceived burden, the patients rated the distress caused by their illness as well as the quality of their lives, and the care staff rated the patients’ symptom and function as well as tested their cognitive abilities.ResultsIncreased family burden can be tied to the patients’ increased symptom severity, to their impaired functioning as well as to the patients’ higher self ratings regarding distress. The family burden is also connected to the patient’s reduced working memory and reduced executive functioning, but this connection is not totally clear and should be further investigated. Of the variables that the patients were rated on, it was the overall functional ability measured with GAF that had the single most impact on perceived family burden.ConclusionsControlling of illness-related variables, such as symptoms, impaired functioning, impaired working memory and executive functioning, as well as the patients’ own experiences of distress, is important in order to lessen the burden for the relatives. All aspects of family burden are, however, not explained by these factors, which is why further research within this realm is required.

Cognition and global assessment of functioning in male and female outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The relationship between the symptom and function subscales of the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and neurocognitive test performance was studied in 195 outpatients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or delusional disorder who were assigned to functional groups based on their sex. A composite cognition score was created based on z-scores. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of GAF Symptom and GAF Function on composite cognition and to check for the effect of the individual cognitive tests against the GAF subscales. Better composite cognition scores were predicted by higher function levels in male patients and by lower symptom levels in female patients. There was also a sex-specific difference in neurocognitive components, indicating that executive functioning may have a greater impact on the symptom and function profiles of male schizophrenia spectrum patients than on that of female patients. The results suggest that endophenotypes in schizophrenia may be sex-specific.

Experience of quality of life and attitude to care and treatment in patients with schizophrenia: Role of cross-sectional remission

Objective. The concept of cross-sectional remission was investigated in a sample of patients with schizophrenia. A total of 243 patients were tested for quality of life, burden and handicap, insight and satisfaction with the care provided in an epidemiological study. The question addressed was if remission is of importance for outcome. Methods. Cross-sectional remission was defined by applying the symptom criteria of remission, where none of eight selected PANSS items should exceed 3 points. Out of 243 patients, 38% were in met cross-sectional remission. Quality of life was assessed with the MOS SF-36 and the Rosser Index. The patients’ understanding of their illness was assessed based on symptoms and disorder insight. Finally, attitudes to care and health service were assessed by the UKU/Consumer Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Drug Attitude Inventory. Results. Patients who were in cross-sectional remission reported higher quality of life and reduced burden related to the disorder, a greater level of insight into their symptoms and the illness, and a more positive attitude to treatment, including drugs. Conclusion. This study implies that remission, here expressed in terms of cross-sectional remission, is of importance for patients’ well-being. Patients who had no interference from symptoms in their daily functioning found their life better, had a superior insight and were more positive to treatment.