A cluster analysis of patients with schizophrenia in community care
- Författare
- Lora A, Cosentino U, Rossini MS, Lanzara D.
- Titel
- A cluster analysis of patients with schizophrenia in community care
- Utgivningsår
- 2001
- Tidskrift
- Psychiatric Services
- Volym
- 52
- Häfte
- 5
- Sidor
- 682-684
- Sammanfattning
In 203 patients (aged 15–64 yrs) with schizophrenia, the authors identified different clusters of Ss on the basis of the severity of psychopathology, disability, and family burden. Patient measures included the Disability Assessment Schedule and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Family burden, including relatives' satisfaction with services provided, was evaluated with the Questionnaire for Family Problems. In the 1st cluster, patients' severity of illness was mild and their use of services low. In the 2nd, patients' disability was more severe; psychiatric symptoms were low in severity, family burden was moderate, and use of community services was more intensive. In the 3rd cluster, patients had serious disability and severe positive symptoms; their families suffered distressing burdens, and their use of hospital and community services was intensive. In the 4th cluster, patients' disability was very severe, negative symptoms were prominent, and relatives' burden was moderate; use of hospital services was frequent, and use of community services was less so. Findings suggest that improving responsiveness to the needs of the most seriously ill patients and their families is a central issue that requires further study and practical implementation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)