Objective and subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients after a first hospitalization.

PURPOSE There is no single, universally accepted definition of quality of life (QOL). Both subjective and objective information is necessary to assess QOL. The aim of the study was to evaluate in cross-sectional and prospective manner objective and subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients 1 month after hospitalization and in one year follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS A study sample consisted of 86 schizophrenic subjects: 52 male and 34 female; age 25.5; +/-5.8 (range 17-47) and control group of matched 52 male and 34 female subjects were enrolled. Subjective QOL scale (WHOQOL-BREF), Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and structured questionnaire were used. Patients were evaluated 1 month (T1) and 13 months (T2) after a discharge from the hospital. RESULTS In both T1 and T2 we found similar levels of SFS score and subjective measurement of QOL in patients, which were significantly lower than in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that both objective and subjective quality of life are significantly decreased directly after hospitalization, and they are relatively stable in 1-year follow-up.