The 15-year outcome of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong.
Can J Psychiatry
; 43(7): 706-13, 1998 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9773220
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the differential outcome of schizophrenia in developed and developing countries. The 15-year outcome of patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong is reported.METHOD:
In a 15-year retrospective outcome study, 100 patients with first-onset schizophrenia in 1977-1978 were randomly selected for outcome assessment from a pool of 797 patient files. The patterns of outcome were assessed by the same set of instruments and methodology as in other centres, since Hong Kong is 1 of the World Health Organization (WHO) centres for the International Study of Schizophrenia (ISoS).RESULTS:
Nineteen subjects were untraceable, and 10 subjects committed suicide. More than one-half of the subjects had a good symptomatic outcome, while about 20% of the subjects were rated as having a good psychosocial adjustment. Over the entire 15-year period, 96% of the subjects were maintained on medications, and 79% were living with family members.CONCLUSION:
Despite Hong Kong's developed economy, its schizophrenia outcome is similar to that in developing countries. The existence of good family support and active follow-up treatment may be important contributory factors to better outcome.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Schizophrenia
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Can J Psychiatry
Year:
1998
Document type:
Article