Clinical and functional characteristics of remission and rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

The aimof this study was to evaluate real social functioning of patients in remission of paranoid schizophrenia in the dynamics of treatment and rehabilitation measures.
 Methods.Patients of the medical rehabilitation department were included in the transverse clinical and population study. Clinical scale evaluation was used, including PANSS, PSP.
 Results.It was shown that patients with schizophrenia included in the program of therapeutic and rehabilitative measures, met clinical and functional criteria of remission. Negative symptomatology prevailed in the clinical picture and was more present in male patients. Individual negative symptoms were associated with the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Despite the generally comparable level of social functioning in patients of different sexes, functioning in different spheres is mediated by the gender factor. Factors associated with the social functioning of patients include employment, experience of own family and independent living. As a result of treatment and rehabilitation measures, there is a tendency to decrease the severity of positive and negative symptoms, a reliable decrease in the severity of depressive symptoms and an increase in the level of social functioning of patients.
 Conclusions.The clinical and functional characteristics of schizophrenia remission are gender-specific. Differentiated assessment of patients social functioning should include professional and microsocial adaptation. The criteria for evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation measures in remission of schizophrenia include reduction of the severity of residual symptoms and increase in the level of social functioning of patients.

Schizophrenia: a Narrative Review of Etiological and Diagnostic Issues

“…The concept of “practical recovery” remains ambiguous — this is just the disappearance of the symptoms of the disorder without complete restoration of mental functions or “new health’, as described by Kondratiev (2010) [ 29 ]. It is important to note that despite more than a half century of research, remission in schizophrenia remains poorly described in practical psychiatry [ 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 ]. It is stated both in Russian and foreign studies that so-called psychosocial remissions are observed in no more than 15% of patients [ 35 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ].…”

“…It is important to note that despite more than a half century of research, remission in schizophrenia remains poorly described in practical psychiatry [ 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 ]. It is stated both in Russian and foreign studies that so-called psychosocial remissions are observed in no more than 15% of patients [ 35 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. Potapov et al (2010) [ 127 ] note that symptomatic remission is possible for about 20% of patients if modern therapy is administered (in compliance with international criteria).…”

“…Kondratyev (2010) [29]. It is important to note that despite more than a half century of research, remission in schizophrenia remains poorly described in practical psychiatry [122][123][124][125]. It is stated both in Russian and foreign studies that so-called psychosocial remissions are observed in no more than 15% of patients [35,[122][123][124][125][126].…”