Key message: Some patients with schizophrenia may achieve recovery with effective treatment. Social functioning, medication adherence, and type of antipsychotic, are important predictors of recovery.
Background
In a 3-year observational study of adults with schizophrenia (n=6,642), the frequency and predictors of patient outcomes were assessed.[Novick et al., 2009]
The average age at entry was 40.2 years (standard deviation: 12.9 years), and mean duration of illness was 11.8 years.[Novick et al., 2009]
Long-lasting symptomatic remission was defined as achieving a level of severity that was mild or less (i.e., a score of <4 on a scale from 1 to 7) in the Clinical Global Impression – Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH) positive, negative, cognitive, and overall severity scores, plus no inpatient admission for a minimum period of 24 months maintained until the 36-month visit:[Novick et al., 2009]
- Approximately 33% achieved long-lasting symptomatic remission.
Long-lasting adequate quality of life was defined as achieving an EuroQoL5 dimensions visual analogue scale (EQ-5D VAS) score ≥70 for a minimum period of 24 months and maintaining it until the 36-month visit:[Novick et al., 2009]
- Approximately 27% achieved long-lasting adequate quality of life.
Long-lasting functional remission was defined as fulfilling the following three criteria for a minimum period of 24 months and maintaining them until the 36-month visit: (1) a positive occupational/vocational status (i.e., paid or unpaid full- or part-time employment, being an active student, or being a housewife); (2) living independently; and (3) having active social interactions (i.e., having more than one social contact during the past 4 weeks or having a spouse or partner):[Novick et al., 2009]
- Approximately 13% achieved long-lasting functional remission.
Although the results should be interpreted conservatively because of the observational, non-randomised study design, they indicate that only a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia achieve recovery.[Novick et al., 2009]
Reference:
Novick D, Haro JM, Suarez D, et al. Recovery in the outpatient setting: 36-month results from the Schizophrenia Outpatients Health Outcomes (SOHO) study. Schizophr Res 2009; 108 (1–3): 223–230.