Bebbington, Paul, Angermeyer, M., Azorin, J.-M., Marwaha, Steven, Marteau, F. and Toumi, M.. (2009) Side-effects of antipsychotic medication and health-related quality of life in schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Vol.119 (Suppl.438). pp. 22-28. ISSN 0001-690X

Abstract

Objective:  This analysis used data from the large (n = 1208) European Schizophrenia Cohort to examine the association between subjective side-effects of antipsychotic medication and the Mental and Physical Composite Scores (MCS; PCS) of the SF-36 scale. Method:  Relationships between the subjective evaluation of side-effects identified from the Subjective Side-Effects Scale and the adjusted mean score on the PCS and MCS were examined. Where appropriate, these associations of subjective side-effects were compared with those of the same side-effects measured objectively. Results:  In this study, subjective side-effects of antipsychotic medication were linked either to both the PCS and the MCS or, in a few instances, to neither. Subjective evaluations of sexual side-effects were associated only with the MCS, those of sialorrhoea only with the PCS. Objective ratings of extrapyramidal side-effects were related neither to PCS nor to MCS. Conclusion:  These data suggest that side-effects, whether subjective or objective, may need to be considered individually in relation to their impact on quality of life.

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