Insight and use of health resources in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this work is to study the insight level of patients with schizophrenia and how the insight is related to sociodemographic, clinical and compliance va ri ables. Besides, we evaluated the influence of insight level in the utilization services.

Patients and methods: Sixty nine patients meeting schizophrenia criteria were selected.They were evaluated with a sociodemographic questionnaire, clinical and social adjustament scales (SCAN, GAF, PANSS, DAS), a services and cost questionnaire (CECE) and the insight scale of Amador (SUMD).

Results: The results were that gender, degree of education, type of residence and some clinical and disability va ri ables were related to insight level. On the other hand, patients with a lower insight level attented more to emergencies and less to mental health centers.

Conclusion: Insight level is an important determinant of adequate health service use in schizophrenia.