Quality of life and social functioning in schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine: 1 year follow-up naturalistic study

Abstract

Objective. To measure health related quality of life (HRQL) and social functioning in schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine under regular clinical practice conditions.

Methods. Out-patients diagnosed of schizophrenia and beginning treatment with olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone or typical oral antipsychotics were included. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained and in each visit (baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months) they were administered the generic HRQL questionnaire EuroQoL-5D and the Social Functioning scale (SFS).

Results. A total of 1,198 patients were followed-up for 12 months. Mean age (SD) was 38.6 (13.3) years and 62.9 % of them were men. In basal conditions the most affected dimensions of EQ-5D were anxiety/ depression (76%), and daily activities (73.6 %). After 12 months treatment the cohort of patients treated with olanzapine showed a better HRQL in the self-care dimension compared to all other treatments (p < 0.05), and in the dimensions of pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression and usual activities compared to the group treated with quetiapine and risperidone (p < 0.05). The Visual Analogue scale (VAS) of the EQ-5D questionnaire showed a better health state after 12 months in the group treated with olanzapine compared to the groups of quetiapine or risperidone (p < 0.05). The Social Functioning scale showed a better improvement in the cohort of olanzapine in the three studied dimensions after 12 months: isolation and social relationships in comparison to the risperidone group (p < 0.05), interpersonal communication in comparison to the risperidone and quetiapine group (p < 0.05) and independence performance in comparison to all the other treatments (p < 0,05).

Conclusion. Schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine for one year show a better improvement in HRQL and social functioning than those treated with other antipsychotics.