Quality of life in patients who have remitted from their first episode of psychosis.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is strongly related to levels of psychopathology and may vary as a function of illness phase. QoL remains poorly understood in FEP.

Aim: Characterise the nature and predictors of QoL in patients who have remitted from their first-episode of psychosis.

Method: Demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and psychopathology were assessed in 81 FEP patients. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref) was used to assess QoL in these patients. Carer-related variables (expressed emotion and burden of care) were ascertained from 63 relatives.

Results: Poorer QoL was associated with personality disorder, depression, mild psychotic positive symptoms, and impaired functioning. Carer-related factors such as emotional overinvolvement and burden of care were also associated with a reduction in patients' QoL.

Conclusions: Depression, functioning and family variables impacted on QoL, and need to be considered in terms of ongoing patient management.