Systematic Literature Review of Studies Reporting Measures of Functional Outcome or Quality of Life in People with Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Aim

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia (NSS) have been linked with poor functional outcomes. A literature review was performed to identify instruments used to assess functional outcomes and quality of life in clinical trials and observational studies conducted in groups of people with NSS.

Methods

Literature search strings were designed using Medical Subject Headings combined with free-text terms and searches were performed using the PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. For inclusion, articles were required to be published as full-text articles, in English, over the period 2011–2021, include at least one group or treatment arm of people with NSS and report either functional outcomes or quality of life (QoL).

Results

Literature searches identified a total of 3,268 unique hits. After two rounds of screening, 37 publications (covering 35 individual studies) were included in the review. A total of fourteen different instruments were used to assess functional outcomes and eleven different instruments were used to assess QoL. In studies in people with NSS, the most frequently used functional outcome measures were the Personal and Social Performance scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning. The most frequently used QoL instruments included the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, the Heinrich Carpenter Quality of Life Scale, the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale and the EQ-5D.

Conclusion

A large number of measures have been used to assess functional outcomes and QoL in people with NSS, these include both generic and condition-specific as well as both interviewer-administered and self-reported instruments.

Keywords:

• schizophrenia
• quality of life
• functional outcomes
• negative symptoms

Acknowledgments

This work has been presented in abstract/poster format at the 2022 Psych Congress, 17–20 September, 2022, New Orleans, USA.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, have provided final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

DHB, SH and DB are current employees of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc. JSP, JP and RFP are current employees of Covalence Research Ltd. Covalence Research Ltd received consulting fees from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc to undertake the systematic literature review and prepare the current manuscript. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The literature review and manuscript was funded by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc.