The subjective well-being under neuroleptic scale – short version (SWN-K) and the SF-36 health survey as quality of life measures in patients with schizophrenia

PURPOSE The desired outcome in schizophrenia treatment has evolved from symptom management to maximization of quality of life and functional recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between a specific well-being measure, the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic Scale - short version (SWN-K), and the SF-36 Health Survey as a generic quality of life measure. PATIENTS AND METHODS A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with clinically stable outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the associations between the SWN-K total score, its five subscales, and the SF-36 domains. RESULTS Ninety-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age was 35 years (standard deviation = 10) and 72% were male. All correlations among domains were positive and most were statistically significant. The bodily pain domain of the SF-36 presented the lower correlations with the SWN-K (rho range 0.10-0.25), whereas the other seven domains correlated significantly (rho range 0.49-0.60, all P < 0.001). The largest correlations were obtained between the SWN-K and the SF-36 domains of general health (rho = 0.53), mental health (rho = 0.60), and vitality (rho = 0.54). CONCLUSION The positive but nevertheless moderate correlations observed between a specific well-being instrument and a generic quality of life scale supports the inclusion of diagnosis-specific tools for outcome assessment of patients with schizophrenia.