Predictors of re-admission of schizophrenic patients

ABSTRACT

Psychiatric re-admission is frequently used as a measure of adverse outcome, as it occurs when the relapse to illness is so severe that less restrictive treatment is insufficient. Investigating factors that may cause readmission of schizophrenic patients. The study composed of two parts; Part I collecting data from data base about re-hospitalization of psychiatric patients during the year 2004, their diagnosis, socio-demographics and mean of hospital stay. Part II prospective study throughout year 2005 for schizophrenic patients with repeated hospitalization for two times or more through this particular year. A total number of 1094 patients were re-hospitalized during the year 2004. Schizophrenic patients represented [n=373, 34%] of them. Significant correlation had been found with advanced age, being single, lower education level, increased duration of illness and with positive family history of psychiatric illness. Using the multivariate logistic regression, it had and en found that patients above 36 years of age, sex, family history, patient's compliance and stigma were independently associated with frequent hospitalization. Patients with negative family history of psychosis were less prone to have frequent hospitalization. Positive family history of psychosis and the progress of age [>36 years] were the main significant predictors for frequent hospitalization