The Influence of Antipsychotics on the Quality of Life of Patients with Schizophrenia in a Long-stay Psychiatric Facility

Introduction: Many factors concomitantly influence the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in a long-stay psychiatric facility. Th e appropriate selection of antipsychotics and the intensity of their adverse effects exert a significant influence on the quality of life of these patients. Th e aim of this study was to identify the influence of antipsychotic-related factors on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Th e study included 102 beneficiaries at the Institute for Accommodation of Adults “Male Pčelice” in Kragujevac. Th e patients were interviewed on in one day using the questionnaire issued by the World Health Organization. The specified data were obtained from the health files of the beneficiaries. We performed a comparison between patients receiving only atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics or a combination thereof.

Results: Th e patients who were receiving only atypical antipsychotics demonstrated better physical health quality of life scores in comparison to those who received combined antipsychotics (77.14 vs. 68.57; U = 332.0; p = 0.02). A statistically significant difference in the mental health quality of life domain was observed between groups of patients receiving various antipsychotic treatments (31.96 vs. 55.27 vs. 49.46; c2 = 7.02; p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Patients in a long-stay psychiatric facility who received atypical antipsychotics demonstrated a better quality of life in comparison to those who received typical antipsychotics, possibly due to the superior safety profile of atypical antipsychotics and a greater feeling of individual contentment.