We sought to identify a core subset of Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) items that maintains the validity and psychometric properties of the basic version. A parsimonious subset of items from the Q-LES-Q that can accurately predict the basic Q-LES-Q domain mean scores was sought and evaluated in 339 inpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and mood disorders. Three additional data sets were used for validation. Assessments included Q-LES-Q, Quality of Life Scale, Lancashire Quality of Life Profile, rating scales for psychopathology, medication side effects, and self-reported emotional distress, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and social support. We found that 18-items predicted basic Q-LES-Q domains (physical health, subjective feelings, leisure time activities, social relationships) and general index scores with high accuracy. Q-LES-Q-18 showed high reliability, validity, and stability of test-retest ratings. Thus, Q-LES-Q-18, a brief, self-administered questionnaire may aid in monitoring quality of life outcomes of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and mood disorder patients.

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clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00174889.

This study aimed to identify factors that influence changes in satisfaction with quality of life (QOL) of schizophrenia patients. Baseline and follow up data for 148 schizophrenia patients were obtained at hospital admission and 16 months later. Relationships between changes over time in the general QOL index, and various factors were investigated using factor, multiple regression, and partial correlation analyses. Findings indicate that baseline levels of activation symptoms, emotional distress, task oriented coping, self-esteem and friend support together explain 41% of the variability in the general QOL index 16 months later. Changes in the general QOL of schizophrenia patients over time is associated with anergia, and paranoid symptoms, emotional distress, side effects, self-esteem, emotion and avoidance related coping styles, expressed emotion, and other social support. Determinants of change in QOL of patients were different being in hospital or out of hospital in the real world. No significant association of age, education, and follow up duration, with general QOL. Based on obtained data three types of overlapping factors were defined: (1) distressing, and protective; (2) primary and secondary; and (3) factors that remained constant or changed over time. Presented data are discussed within the framework of the Distress/Protection model of QOL. The conceptualization of three types of factors influencing QOL outcomes in this model demonstrates their predictive value, and may assist investigators and mental health workers in the interpretation of QOL data that may be used to improve patients' QOL outcomes.

We sought to explore the relationships of three temperament factors with domain-specific subjective quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia. Ninety patients with schizophrenia were evaluated using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale, the Distress Scale for Adverse Symptoms, the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire, the Insight Self-Report Scale, and standardized questionnaires for self-reported emotional distress and stress process-related variables. Predictors of domain-specific QOL were identified using multiple regression techniques. Temperament factors explain 6% to 16% of variability in QOL domain scores among patients with schizophrenia after controlling for the remaining variables (emotional distress, social support, self-esteem, avoidance coping, age, side effects, and depression). We found that higher levels of novelty seeking are associated with better general QOL, physical health, and more positive subjective feelings, whereas higher levels of reward dependence are related to better satisfaction from social relationships. Higher levels of harm avoidance are associated with poorer satisfaction with general activities, and medication. Thus, temperament factors, as assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, substantially influence satisfaction with life quality in schizophrenia. Novelty seeking, reward dependence, and harm avoidance are associated with different domains of QOL.

This short-term study does not support DHEA's value as an effective adjunct in the treatment of symptoms, side effects, and quality-of-life impairment in schizophrenia, while suggesting that DHEA improves sustained attention and visual and movement skills. A long-term, large-scale study with a broader dose range is warranted to further investigate DHEA's role in the management of schizophrenia.

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