The quality of life of people with schizophrenia living in community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The influence of sociodemographics and clinical factors on the quality of life (qol) of an individual with schizophrenia is being widely studied, particularly in developed countries. The de-institutionalization process that is taking course in Brazil, to a less symptoms-focused approach, makes necessary the assessment of the qol of these patients living in the community. To evaluate factors related to the qol in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder, and who are users of one of the two municipal community mental health services of a Rio de Janeiro district, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Selected patients were interviewed with Brazilian versions of Lancashire Quality of Life Profile, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. A total of 136 patients participated in the study. Most of them were single and lived with their relatives, had low educational level, were unemployed and had low income. A great number of the interviewed did not have any social contact outside the family and leisure activity, except watching television and/or listening to the radio. Finances and work situation had the lowest satisfaction level. Educational level, presence of positive and depressive symptoms, hospital admissions were negatively associated with qol. For those receiving state benefit, perceived qol increased with age. These predictors explained more than 42% of the total subjective qol score variance.