Quality of life: an assessment of the state of psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia in the community

The subjective quality of life (QOL) of diabetic patients on oral hypoglycaemics was compared to schizophrenic patients who were well controlled with their antipsychotic medications. This comparison was made using the generic quality of life questionnaire produced by the World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL) group, namely the WHOQOL-100. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the psychological well-being and level of independence between the two groups. However, such measures revealed that the most impaired aspect of well-being in the schizophrenic group was the social relationship. Subjective QOL assessment is able to reveal deficits or handicaps that are obscure and probably difficult to appreciate on objective social and clinical evaluation. Such findings are valuable in planning the rehabilitative need of schizophrenic patients in the community.