The family economic status and outcome of people with schizophrenia in Xinjin, Chengdu, China: 14-year follow-up study

Association between social support and the severity of positive symptoms in rural community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

This study examined the association between social support and the severity of positive symptoms in rural community-dwelling schizophrenia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

The cross-sectional study included 665 rural community-dwelling schizophrenia patients investigated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support was measured using the Social Support Rating Scale, and positive symptoms were assessed using the Positive Scale extracted from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Multiple linear regression was adopted to examine the association of social support with positive symptoms.

RESULT

The scores for total social support, subjective support, objective support and the use of social support were 28.3 ± 5.9, 16.4 ± 5.2, 6.5 ± 1.4 and 5.4 ± 2.8, respectively. Total social support (β = -0.08, 95%CI: -0.13 to -0.02, P < 0.01) and subjective social support (β = -0.10, 95%CI: -0.16 to -0.04, P < 0.01) were significantly and negatively associated with the Positive Scale score after adjustment for confounders. Objective social support (β = 0.11, 95%CI: -0.10 to 0.32, P = 0.31) and the use of social support (β = -0.03, 95%CI: -0.14 to 0.07, P = 0.53) were not significantly associated with the Positive Scale score.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the importance of social support, especially subjective support, provided to rural community-dwelling schizophrenia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support should be addressed and strengthened for such patients in emergent events.

The association of social inequality with the onset, persistence, and progression of psychotic experiences along the extended psychosis phenotype: a 6-year follow-up study in a community-based sample

PURPOSE

This paper aims to investigate associations between early childhood and current indicators of socioeconomic inequality and the onset (incident), persistence and progression (increase in severity) of psychotic experiences (PEs) in a longitudinal follow-up of a community-based population.

METHODS

Households in the metropolitan area of Izmir, Turkey were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame, at baseline (T1, n = 4011) and at 6-year follow-up (T2, n = 2185). Both at baseline and follow-up, PEs were assessed using Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1. The associations between baseline socioeconomic features and follow-up PEs were analysed using logistic regression models. Indicators of social inequality included income, educational level, current socioeconomic status (SES), social insurance, the area resided, ethnicity, parental educational level, and SES at birth.

RESULTS

The risk of onset of PEs was significantly higher in lower education, lower SES, and slum-semi-urban areas. The persistence of PEs was significantly associated with the lowest levels of education and current SES, and rural residency. Persistent PEs were significantly and negatively associated with paternal SES at birth. Progression of PEs was significantly higher among respondents with educational achievements lower than university level and lower levels of SES, who have no social insurance and who reside in slum-semi-urban areas. Parental education and paternal SES at birth were not associated with the persistence of PEs.

CONCLUSION

Indicators of social inequality (low education, low SES, low income, and poverty in the neighbourhood) were associated with the onset and persistence of PEs and progression along the extended psychosis phenotype. The early indicators seem to have a modest life-long impact on the psychosis phenotype.

Assessing the Effectiveness of an E-Coaching Intervention in Improving Family Support for Individuals with Mental Disorders: A Quasi-Experimental Approach

Background

The increasing number of mental disorders (MDs) requires government, social, and family attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an e-coaching empowerment application in improving families' abilities to care for individuals with mental disorders (MDs).

Methods

A quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Totaling 122 individuals selected through purposive sampling from families with (MDs) in six selected community health centers that divided into two groups, intervention and regular mental healthcare. The data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The independent variable was the provision of intervention using the e-coaching application with GROW (Goal, Reality, Option, Will) model, while the dependent variables were the family's ability to recognize problems, make decisions, take care of people with MDs, modify the environment, and utilize health facilities. Further, multivariate tests were used to evaluate the effect of e-coaching empowerment on families' ability to care for MDs.

Results

The results demonstrated a significant impact of e-coaching on the family's ability to care for individuals with MDs (p<0.01). Education also partially affected the family's ability to care for individuals with MDs (p<0.01). Additionally, age, gender, occupation, relationship with the individual MDs, and duration of care simultaneously did not significantly affect the family's ability to care for individuals with MDs (p<0.01). However, educationally background was significantly affect family ability in taking care for MD patients. Overall, e-coaching significantly improved the family's ability to recognize problems, make decisions, care for patients with MDs, modify the environment, and utilize health facilities.

Recommendations

The e-coaching empowerment application for families can assist healthcare workers in enhancing the family's ability to provide assistance for individuals with MDs at home. This application can improve mental health services in the broader location accessible via the internet and can be developed for other health fields. The application can be expanded into a simple game so that families can view their scores for their proficiency in each session to make it more entertaining.

Social support and quality of life among chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia

This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, social support received, and quality of life of chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia in China. A self-prepared sociodemographic questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), European Five-dimensional Health Scale (EQ-5D), and Eysenck Personality were administrated to 3,967 chronically homeless and 3,724 non-homeless patients from the Department of Xiangtan Fifth People's Hospital, Hunan, China, between April 2011 and October 2016. Results indicated that the homeless patients were more likely to live outside the city and be ethnic minorities compared with non-homeless patients. Although the married proportion was higher among homeless patients, they had a higher rate of being divorced or widowed. Notably, the homeless patients had higher employment rates before illness, despite significantly lower education (P < 0.001). Chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia showed a lower score in the SSRS (30.29 ± 7.34 vs. 26.16 ± 10.04, p < 0.001); they had significantly lower objective support, subject support, social support, and EQ-Visual Analog Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Psychoticism, and Eysenck Personality-Neuroticism scores (p < 0.001). Homeless patients may be worse off, and could be assisted by providing accommodation, family intervention, medical services (such as pain medication), and other comprehensive measures.

Risk and protective factors of relapse in patients with first-episode schizophrenia from perspectives of health professionals: a qualitative study in northeastern Thailand

Background:  Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can relapse after treatments. Risk and protective factors for relapse are dependent on multicultural contexts. Objective: To identify risk and protective factors related to relapse in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in northeastern Thailand from perspectives of health professionals. Methods: This qualitative research collected data from 21 health professional staff members (psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and nutritionist) of a tertiary psychiatric hospital of northeastern Thailand who had been involved in mental health care for schizophrenia for at least 5 years by in-depth interviews and group interview using semi-structured interview schedule. Content analyses was used to identify staff perception of factors that put patients at risk of relapse. Results: Data analyses demonstrated that factors related to relapse in FES patients were drug adherence (drug discontinuation, limited access to new generation drugs, self-dose reduction and skipping medication, and poor insight), family factors (stressful circumstances and family supports), substance abuses (narcotics, addictive substances, caffeinated drinks), concurrent medical illness (insomnia, thyroid diseases, and pregnancy-related hormonal changes), and natural course of disease.  Conclusion: Factors affecting relapse in FES was not only drug adherence. Family factors, drug abuses, and concurrent health status should be also taken into account. A comprehensive mental health care program should be developed for FES patients in the region.

Change of poverty and outcome of persons with severe mental illness in rural China, 1994-2015

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether and how poverty influences the long-term outcome of persons with severe mental illness (SMI).

AIMS

To explore the change of poverty status in persons with SMI from 1994 to 2015 and examine the impact of poverty status on patients' outcome in rural China.

METHOD

Two mental health surveys using identical methods and International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) were conducted in 1994 and 2015 in the same six townships of Xinjin County, Chengdu, China.

RESULTS

The annual net income per person was 19.8% and 100.2% higher for the general population than for persons with SMI in 1994 and 2015 respectively. Compared with 1994 (48.2%), persons with SMI in 2015 had significantly higher rates of poor family economic status (<mean) (65.2%) (p < .001). Persons with SMI in poor family economic status were significantly more likely to be male, unmarried, unable to work, with no family caregivers or a smaller number of family members, and in poor mental status in 1994 and 2015 (p < .05). The risk factors significantly associated with patients' poor mental status included poor work ability, younger age of first onset, never-treated status and poor family economic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Relative poverty of persons with SMI has become more severe during the rapid socioeconomic development in rural China. Relative poverty of household, poor work ability, younger age of onset and never-treated status are risk factors of poor outcome. Culture-specific, community-based interventions and targeted poverty alleviation programs should improve patients' early identification, treatment and recovery.

Schizophrenia, social support, caregiving burden and household poverty in rural China

PURPOSE

Household poverty associated with schizophrenia has been long described. However, the mechanisms by which schizophrenia may have influenced the economic status of a household in rural communities are still unclear. This study aimed to test an integrated model of schizophrenia, social support and caregiving burden on household poverty in a rural community in China.

METHODS

A mental health survey using identical methods and ICD-10 was conducted in six townships of Xinjin County (population ≥ 15 years old, n = 152,776), Chengdu, China in 2015. Identified persons with schizophrenia (n = 661) and their caregivers completed a joint questionnaire of sociodemographic information, illness conditions, social support and caregiving burden. Descriptive analysis was applied first to give an overview of the dataset. Then, multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the associative factors of social support, caregiving burden and household income. Then, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the integrated model of schizophrenia, social support, caregiving burden and household income.

RESULTS

Households with patient being female, married, able to work and having better social function were better off. Larger household size, higher social support and lower caregiving burden also had salient association with higher household income. The relationship between schizophrenia and household poverty appeared to be mediated by the impacts of schizophrenia on social support and caregiving burden.

CONCLUSION

There was a strong association between schizophrenia and household poverty, in which social support and caregiving burden may had played significant roles on mediating it. More precise poverty alleviation policies and interventions should focus on supporting recovery for persons with schizophrenia, as well as on increasing social support and on reducing family caregiving burden.

Household poverty in people with severe mental illness in rural China: 1994-2015

BACKGROUND

Little is known about poverty trends in people with severe mental illness (SMI) over a long time span, especially under conditions of fast socioeconomic development.

AIMS

This study aims to unravel changes in household poverty levels among people with SMI in a fast-changing rural community in China.

METHOD

Two mental health surveys, using ICD-10, were conducted in the same six townships of Xinjin county, Chengdu, China. A total of 711 and 1042 people with SMI identified in 1994 and 2015, respectively, participated in the study. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty index was adopted to measure the changes in household poverty. These changes were decomposed into effects of growth and equity using a static decomposition method. Factors associated with household poverty in 1994 and 2015 were examined and compared by regression analyses.

RESULTS

The proportion of poor households, as measured by the headcount ratio, increased significantly from 29.8% in 1994 to 39.5% in 2015. Decomposition showed that poverty in households containing people with SMI had worsened because of a redistribution effect. Factors associated with household poverty had also changed during the study period. The patient's age, ability to work and family size were of paramount significance in 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the levels of poverty faced by households containing people with SMI has become more pressing with China's fast socioeconomic development. It calls for further integration of mental health recovery and targeted antipoverty interventions for people with SMI as a development priority.

Latent Clinical-Anatomical Dimensions of Schizophrenia

Widespread structural brain abnormalities have been consistently reported in schizophrenia, but their relation to the heterogeneous clinical manifestations remains unknown. In particular, it is unclear whether anatomical abnormalities in discrete regions give rise to discrete symptoms or whether distributed abnormalities give rise to the broad clinical profile associated with schizophrenia. Here, we apply a multivariate data-driven approach to investigate covariance patterns between multiple-symptom domains and distributed brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data were derived from one discovery sample (133 patients and 113 controls) and one independent validation sample (108 patients and 69 controls). Disease-related voxel-wise brain abnormalities were estimated using deformation-based morphometry. Partial least-squares analysis was used to comprehensively map clinical, neuropsychological, and demographic data onto distributed deformation in a single multivariate model. The analysis identified 3 latent clinical-anatomical dimensions that collectively accounted for 55% of the covariance between clinical data and brain deformation. The first latent clinical-anatomical dimension was replicated in an independent sample, encompassing cognitive impairments, negative symptom severity, and brain abnormalities within the default mode and visual networks. This cognitive-negative dimension was associated with low socioeconomic status and was represented across multiple races. Altogether, we identified a continuous cognitive-negative dimension of schizophrenia, centered on 2 intrinsic networks. By simultaneously taking into account both clinical manifestations and neuroanatomical abnormalities, the present results open new avenues for multi-omic stratification and biotyping of individuals with schizophrenia.

The psychosis analysis in real-world on a cohort of large-scale patients with schizophrenia

Background

With China experiencing unprecedented economic development and social change over the past three decades, Chinese policy makers and health care professionals have come to view mental health as an important outcome to monitor. Our study conducted an epidemiological study of psychosis in Guangdong province, with 20 million real-world follow-up records in the last decade.

Methods

Data was collected from Guangdong mental health information platform from 2010 to 2019, which had standardized disease registration and follow-up management for nearly 600,000 patients with six categories of mental diseases and 400,000 patients with schizophrenia. We conducted clinical staging for the disease course of the patients and divided the data with various factors into different stages of disease. Quantitative analysis was utilized to investigate the high relevant indicators to the disease. The results were projected on geography map for regional distribution analysis.

Results

The majority cases of mental disease incidence were between the age of 15 and 29, while the peak age for both male and female was between 20 to 24 years old. The disease course with the largest number of patients’ cases was between 5 to 10 years. The therapeutic effect of patients gradually decreased with the development of disease course, while the risk increased with the disease course. The analysis of influencing factors showed that poor economic conditions incurred higher risk scores, and good medication adherence was effective in improving treatment outcomes. In addition, receiving good education contributed to the reduction of the risk of schizophrenia and the improvement of the efficiency of early treatment. Through the analysis of regional distribution of schizophrenia disease, developed economic conditions and favorable resource conditions could promote the reduction of disease risk, while in economically backward regions, it often accompanied with lower therapeutic effect and higher disease risk.

Conclusions

Certain demographic factors had a relatively prominent impact on the therapeutic effect and risk of schizophrenia, such as high-quality medication adherence. Therapeutic effect and risk were highly correlated. Backward economic conditions often associated with poor efficacy and higher risk assessment, and the developed economy and better medical resource are beneficial for the treatment of psychotic.

Perception of social support and psychotic symptoms among persons with schizophrenia: A strategy to lessen caregiver burden

BACKGROUND

Improving patients' perception of social support is significant not only for their re-adaptation to life but also for alleviating caregivers' burden.

AIM

This study aims to examine an integrated model regarding social support, psychotic symptoms and caregiver burden.

METHODS

Persons with schizophrenia (N₁ = 300) and their family caregivers (N₂ = 300) in Xinjin County, Chengdu, China, completed the survey to report their demographics, patients' perception of social support (Duke Social Support Index), psychotic symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and caregiver burden (Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, Short Version). Structural equation modelling was utilised to test the proposed model.

RESULTS

The degree of caregiver burden differed significantly within subgroups of patients' gender and education, as well as caregivers' gender, education and employment. Caregiver burden was negatively related to patients' age and household income. Social interaction partially mediated the relationship between instrumental and subjective social support (total effect = 0.451, p < .01). Subjective social support fully mediated the impact of social interaction on psychotic symptoms (total effect = -0.099, p < .05). In the final model, instrumental social support was positively associated with social interaction (p < .001) and increased subjective social support (p < .05). Increased subjective social support showed correlation with a lower degree of psychotic symptoms (p < .01), which was related to a lower level of caregiver burden (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

This study shows the associations of patients' social support with psychotic symptoms and caregiver burden. Culture-specific psychosocial interventions should be provided for both patients and caregivers to enrich external support and reduce psychotic symptoms and caregivers' burden within the health care environment.

Homelessness and severe mental illness in low- and middle-income countries: scoping review

BACKGROUND

Despite being a global problem, little is known about the relationship between severe mental illness (SMI) and homelessness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Homeless people with SMI are an especially vulnerable population and face myriad health and social problems. In LMICs, low rates of treatment for mental illness, as well as differing family support systems and cultural responses to mental illness, may affect the causes and consequences of homelessness in people with SMI.

AIMS

To conduct a systematic, scoping review addressing the question: what is known about the co-occurrence of homelessness and SMI among adults living in LMICs?

METHOD

We conducted an electronic search, a manual search and we consulted with experts. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, assessed publications for eligibility and appraised study quality.

RESULTS

Of the 49 included publications, quality was generally low: they were characterised by poor or unclear methodology and reporting of results. A total of 7 publications presented the prevalence of SMI among homeless people; 12 presented the prevalence of homelessness among those with SMI. Only five publications described interventions for this population; only one included an evaluation component.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence shows an association between homelessness and SMI in LMICs, however there is little information on the complex relationship and direction of causality between the phenomena. Existing programmes should undergo rigorous evaluation to identify key aspects required for individuals to achieve sustainable recovery. Respect for human rights should be paramount when conducting research with this population.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

None.

Changes in treatment status of patients with severe mental illness in rural China, 1994-2015

BACKGROUND

Although it is crucial to improve the treatment status of people with severe mental illness (SMI), it is still unknown whether and how socioeconomic development influences their treatment status.AimsTo explore the change in treatment status in people with SMI from 1994 to 2015 in rural China and to examine the factors influencing treatment status in those with SMI.

METHOD

Two mental health surveys using identical methods and ICD-10 were conducted in 1994 and 2015 (population ≥15 years old, n = 152 776) in the same six townships of Xinjin County, Chengdu, China.

RESULTS

Compared with 1994, individuals with SMI in 2015 had significantly higher rates of poor family economic status, fewer family caregivers, longer duration of illness, later age at first onset and poor mental status. Participants in 2015 had significantly higher rates of never being treated, taking antipsychotic drugs and ever being admitted to hospital, and lower rates of using traditional Chinese medicine or being treated by traditional/spiritual healers. The factors strongly associated with never being treated included worse mental status (symptoms/social functioning), older age, having no family caregivers and poor family economic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic development influences the treatment status of people with SMI in contemporary rural China. Relative poverty, having no family caregivers and older age are important factors associated with a worse treatment status. Culture-specific, community-based interventions and targeted poverty-alleviation programmes should be developed to improve the early identification, treatment and recovery of individuals with SMI in rural China.Declaration of interestNone.

The 10-year functional outcome of schizophrenia in Butajira, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Long-term functional schizophrenia outcomes are not well characterized in low-income environments because of the rarity of prospective studies.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and describe long-term schizophrenia's functional outcomes and potential outcome predictors.

METHODS

Following a baseline assessment, 316 people with schizophrenia were studied for 10 years, on average. Of the total, 79 were incident cases: cases with onset of the illness occurring two years or less from entry into the study. SF-36 scores of physical and social functioning were used to assess functional outcomes. Linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the association of functioning with potential predictors.

RESULTS

Social and physical functioning scores regarding the cohort were lower than the population's norm for most of the follow-up period. Incident cases had better function than prevalent cases. Fifteen percent of incident and 30% of prevalent cases had reduced social functioning for at least six years. Declining symptom severity during the follow-up period was significantly associated with improvement in social functioning. When baseline functioning was controlled for, the long-term trend in functionality was not associated with demographic or illness characteristics (age and speed of onset, duration of illness and neuroleptic use at entry, substance use, and medication adherence).

CONCLUSION

Long-term physical and social functioning of the population with schizophrenia were significantly lower than the population norm. A significant proportion of the cohort had lower functioning for the long-term. Functioning was not associated with demographic or illness characteristics of the study population.

The burden, support and needs of primary family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia in Beijing communities: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Family caregivers play crucial roles in taking care of people experiencing schizophrenia in the community. The burdens on and needs of caregivers of these patients should be emphasized. This study aimed to explore the perspective of family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia in the communities of Beijing in terms of the burdens of care and the acquisition and further need for support in order to provide guidance to health care providers regarding how to target therapeutic interventions for families of individuals experiencing schizophrenia and to provide recommendations for policy makers to tailor countermeasures and services.

METHODS

A total of 20 family caregivers of schizophrenia patients were enrolled in our study. A face-to-face and semi-structured in-depth qualitative interview study was conducted to explore the caregivers' perspective on the burden on caregivers, support and further needs. This study was conducted in the community health service centres where the family caregivers regularly visit. The study was carried out according to good ethical practices, data analysis and reporting guidelines.

RESULTS

Most participants reported that they were suffering from heavy life burdens and had negative experiences with respect to obtaining social support, and they emphasized that they would require more support. Economic and daily housework burdens, limited social communication, and psychological stresses were the principal burdens. Support including financial, medical and information and educational support did not satisfy the needs of the caregivers and their patients. More financial support, respect, and rehabilitation institutions were reported to be needs of the caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

Family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia suffer from heavy physical and psychological burdens; however, the current support provided is insufficient. More services and better public attitudes should be considered for people experiencing schizophrenia and their caregivers.

Living with schizophrenia in rural communities in north-east Thailand

In the rural villages of Thailand, rich social support networks exist that bond the community members to help each other. This study explored the barriers and facilitators of living with schizophrenia in Thai villages. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with individuals with schizophrenia, family members, and significant others. Content analysis of transcripts involved examining the data, recording observations, data reduction, and coding themes. Four main themes emerged from the narratives: (i) keep doing day-to-day activities as a way of life; (ii) support sustains day-to-day living; (iii) controlling medication side effects maintains daily living; and (iv) managing self maintains daily living. Self-regulation and social support are keys to moving from dependence to a normative life goal in rural communities. The patterns of living in the rural communities provide a strong social network as people with schizophrenia learn to lead successful lives. Using supportive families and community members as resources is an alternative and effective way of providing supportive care.

Very long-term outcome of schizophrenia

PURPOSE

The principal aim is to review recent data concerning the very long-term outcome of schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We examine factors that influence outcome, including therapeutic interventions.

METHOD

PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for papers published between 2008 and 2017 reporting on prospective studies of schizophrenia or schizophrenia spectrum with a follow-up period ≥5 years with adequate outcome information. Additional publications were found in reference lists and authors' reference libraries.

RESULTS

The average proportion of patients with symptomatic remission at follow-up ranged between 16.4% in never-treated patients to 37.5% in patients who were systematically treated with antipsychotics. Good outcomes at follow-up were observed in schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum patients on low doses of antipsychotics and in patients with no pharmacological treatment at that time. Early detection and intensive treatment of the first episode as well as the availability of continued psychosocial treatment and support over subsequent years appeared associated with better outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The long-term outcome of schizophrenia is highly variable, depending on access to mental healthcare, early detection of psychosis and pharmacological treatment. Recent data support the effectiveness of low-dose antipsychotic treatment for long-term maintenance in some patients. A proportion of first-episode schizophrenia patients, perhaps 20%, do not need long-term maintenance antipsychotic treatment. That proportion may be higher in schizophrenia spectrum patients. The reasons why these patients do not need the long-term treatment are not well understood. Methods to predict the membership in this subgroup are not yet good enough for clinical use in individual patients.

Global mental health and schizophrenia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim was to synthesize recent evidence on schizophrenia illness experience and outcomes and models of care in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a plurality of explanatory models for psychosis and increasing evidence that context influences experiences of stigma. People with schizophrenia in LMICs are vulnerable to food insecurity, violence and physical health problems, in addition to unmet needs for mental healthcare. Family support may help to improve outcomes if present, but caregivers may be overwhelmed by the challenges faced. Despite efforts to increase availability, evidence-based care remains inaccessible to many people with schizophrenia. Non-randomized evaluations in South Africa and Mexico indicate that psychosocial support groups for people with schizophrenia and caregivers may be acceptable and useful. Randomized controlled trials in Pakistan and China show that culturally adapted cognitive-behavioural therapy can reduce symptom severity. There is emerging evidence that alternative medicine, such as Tai Chi, may be beneficial, but to date most studies are of low quality. The challenges of biomedical-traditional provider collaborations have been highlighted. Evaluations of integrated mental healthcare in primary care are underway and promise to provide vital information about how to scale-up quality care.

SUMMARY

Acceptable and effective responses to schizophrenia in LMICs should be cognisant of both cultural context and universal concerns. Efforts to enhance the quality of family support should be central to models of care.

Recovery from schizophrenia: is it possible?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Schizophrenia has a heterogeneous range of end states, from severe cases requiring repeated hospitalization to cases in which a single illness episode is followed by complete remission. The purpose of the present review is to examine recent literature on recovery in schizophrenia, focusing on the predictive factors and on the possibility to achieve it.

RECENT FINDINGS

Roughly half of schizophrenia patients recovered or significantly improved over the long term, suggesting that functional remission is possible. Several factors predict the course of schizophrenia, including demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics, as well as socioeconomic variables. Antipsychotics are a fundamental element of schizophrenia treatment, although the available antipsychotics have significant limitations. In this context, psychosocial interventions are supported by substantial evidence of efficacy in many outcome measures and rehabilitation interventions should be considered as an evidence-based practice and need to become a part of the standard treatment of schizophrenia.

SUMMARY

As recovery is a multidimensional concept, some authors suggested that at least two areas should be taken into account: clinical remission and social functioning. Functional outcome should be a priority target for therapeutic interventions in schizophrenia and in this perspective measuring treatment response, remission and functional recovery is essential. Only an integrated and multifaceted approach involving pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and attention to environmental circumstances can improve outcome in schizophrenia.