Determinants of quality of life at first presentation with schizophrenia

Background Quality of life(QOL) has gained importance as a global measure of social and clinical outcome in schizophrenia. Aims To identify the clinical correlates of QOL at the time of first presentation with schizophrenia. Method Over two years, consecutive first-episode psychosis patients presenting to a catchment area psychiatric service underwent validated clinical assessments of premorbid adjustment, illness duration, symptoms and QOL. Results At presentation, subjects already had a diminished QOL. Although independent of gender and age at onset of psychosis,QOL was influenced by premorbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis and symptoms. Conclusions Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis may have a beneficial effect on the subsequent QOL of patients presenting with schizophrenia. First-episode patients with a protracted duration of untreated psychosis or impaired premorbid adjustment may warrant specific treatment interventions to prevent the development of secondary handicaps. Declaration of interest This study was funded by the Stanley Research Foundation.