Precision-medicine findings from the FACE-SZ cohort to develop motivation-enhancing programs in real-world schizophrenia

Abstract

Background

In people with schizophrenia, major areas of everyday life are impaired, including independent living, productive activities, social relationships and overall quality of life. Enhanced understanding of factors that hinder real-life functioning is vital for treatments to translate into more positive outcomes.

Aim

The goal of the present study was to identify factors associated with motivation deficits in real-life schizophrenia, and to assess its contribution to impaired functioning and quality of life.

Methods

Based on previous literature and clinical experience, several factors were selected and grouped into factors potentially explaining motivation deficits. Some of these variables were never investigated before in relationship with motivation deficits.

Results

In 561 patients with schizophrenia of the national FACE-SZ cohort living in the community, 235 (41.9%) reported severe motivation deficits. These deficits were found to be significantly associated with impaired socially useful activities, psychological and physical quality of life (in almost all domains), alcohol use disorder (aOR = 2.141, p = 0.021), severe nicotine dependence (aOR = 2.906, p < 0.001) independently of age and sex. No significant association was found for body mass index, metabolic syndrome or physical activity level. In the second model, we identified the following modifiable factors associated with motivation deficits: history of suicide attempt (aOR = 2.297, p = 0.001), positive symptoms (aOR = 1.052, p = 0.006), current major depressive episode (aOR = 2.627, p < 0.001), sleep disorders (aOR = 1.474, p = 0.024) and lower medication adherence (aOR = 0.836, p = 0.001) independently of gender, current alcohol use disorder, second-generation antipsychotics and akathisia. No significant association was found for negative symptoms, childhood trauma and inflammation. These results were maintained after removing patients with schizoaffective disorders or those with major depressive disorder.

Interpretation

Motivation deficits are frequent and remain persistent unmet need in real-world schizophrenia that should be addressed in future guidelines. Based on our results, literature and clinical experience, we recommend to address in priority major depression, sleep, suicide, positive symptoms (when present and as early as possible) and medication adherence to improve motivation deficits of schizophrenia.

Keywords:

• Psychiatry
• mental health
• schizophrenia
• mood disorders
• depressive disorders
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

We express all our thanks to the nurses, and to the patients who were included in the present study. We thank Hakim Laouamri, and his team (Stéphane Beaufort, Seif Ben Salem, Karmène Souyris, Victor Barteau and Mohamed Laaidi) for the development of the FACE-SZ computer interface, data management, quality control and regulatory aspects.

Author contributions

LB performed the statistical analysis. TK, LB and GF wrote the first complete manuscript. All authors were involved in the patients’ recruitment, the clinical evaluation, acquisition of the clinical data, modified the manuscript and approved the final version.

Statement of interest

None to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by AP-HM (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille), Fondation FondaMental (RTRS Santé Mentale), by the Investissements d’Avenir Program managed by the ANR under reference [ANR-11-IDEX-0004-02 and ANR-10-COHO-10-01, and by INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale).