Disability in Person with Schizophrenia: Its Correlation with Psychopathology and Socio-Demographic Profile.

ABSTRACT

Schizophrenia causes considerable functional disability. The present study was designed to assess disability in person with schizophrenia and to see its relationship with psychopathology (PANNS score), UKU side effect, duration of illness, duration of treatment, perceived social support and other socio-demographic factors . The study was done at the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER), Kolkata, India. For this study 100 patients with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10 were taken. Thereafter, all patients were assessed on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) for psychopathology, on Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Schedule (IDEA) for disability, on UKU Side Effect Rating Scale for side effects of drugs and on Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) for perceived social support. It was found that majority of the patients were having severe level of disability in global, interpersonal activity and communication & understanding area and moderate level in work and self care domains. PANSS total score had a significant (<0.035) positive correlation and SSQ total score had a significant (p<0.000) negative correlation with global disability. Age of onset, duration of illness have an effect on disability. The total score of PANSS and SSQ SERS total score emerged as the sole significant predictor of global disability. Treatment in schizophrenia should be focused on psychopathology and social support system to improve competencies in retaining an occupation, better interpersonal relationship with co-workers, and significant others.