Abstract
Methods
We assessed work functioning of 201 patients who have completed a minimum of 3 years of follow-up as part of a cohort study
of schizophrenia patients receiving community-based treatment. ‘Work’ section of the Indian disability evaluation and assessment
scale (IDEAS) was used to evaluate work-related disability at the time of recruitment and after a mean (SD) 47.0 (9.6) months
of follow-up. Patients with moderate to profound work-related disability were compared with those with no or mild disability
across socio-demographic and clinical variables.
of schizophrenia patients receiving community-based treatment. ‘Work’ section of the Indian disability evaluation and assessment
scale (IDEAS) was used to evaluate work-related disability at the time of recruitment and after a mean (SD) 47.0 (9.6) months
of follow-up. Patients with moderate to profound work-related disability were compared with those with no or mild disability
across socio-demographic and clinical variables.
Results
75 (37.3 %) were agriculturists; 58 (28.9 %) were pursuing household jobs; 28 (13.9 %) were daily wage labourers; 7 (3.5 %)
were skilled labourers; 7 (3.5 %) were involved in other jobs. 26 (12.9 %) were not doing any sort of work. The proportion
of patients with moderate or profound disability reduced from 137/201 (68.2 %) at baseline to 82/201 (40.8 %) at follow-up
(p < 0.001). Work-related disability reduced significantly [mean (SD) work score on IDEAS was 2.2 (1.6) at baseline and 1.1
(1.2) at follow-up; t = −9.1; p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that work-related disability was significantly associated with male gender,
longer duration of illness, higher psychopathology and poor treatment adherence.
were skilled labourers; 7 (3.5 %) were involved in other jobs. 26 (12.9 %) were not doing any sort of work. The proportion
of patients with moderate or profound disability reduced from 137/201 (68.2 %) at baseline to 82/201 (40.8 %) at follow-up
(p < 0.001). Work-related disability reduced significantly [mean (SD) work score on IDEAS was 2.2 (1.6) at baseline and 1.1
(1.2) at follow-up; t = −9.1; p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that work-related disability was significantly associated with male gender,
longer duration of illness, higher psychopathology and poor treatment adherence.
Conclusion
Nearly two-thirds of schizophrenia patients living in this rural south Indian community had satisfactory work functioning,
a rate, which is substantially higher than rates reported from high-income countries. Agrarian work atmosphere and rural sociocultural
milieu may have contributed to this in our sample. However, substantial proportion of patients remains considerably disabled.
This highlights the need for concerted, community-level efforts to improve their functioning.
a rate, which is substantially higher than rates reported from high-income countries. Agrarian work atmosphere and rural sociocultural
milieu may have contributed to this in our sample. However, substantial proportion of patients remains considerably disabled.
This highlights the need for concerted, community-level efforts to improve their functioning.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0495-8
- Authors
- Kudumallige K. Suresh, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Jagadisha Thirthalli, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Somashekar Bijjal, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Basappa K. Venkatesh, Department of Psychiatry, Penn State/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, H073, 500 University Drive, 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Udupi Arunachala, Manasa Nursing Home, Thirthahalli, India
- Kengeri V. Kishorekumar, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Doddaballapura K. Subbakrishna, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Bangalore N. Gangadhar, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 560029 Bangalore, India
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954