Schizophrenia
Conditions
Keywords
schizophrenia, elderly, lifelong, quality of life, register, questionaire
Brief summary
The elderly demographic is on the rise - and this includes elderly living with schizophrenia. Yet very little is known about their lives, how they cope with their condition and how it develops over time. Research in this patient-group is sparse; overall there seem to be a tendency for elderly patients to manifest fewer psychotic symptoms and experiencing an increase in the psychological quality of life with older age. Opinions are divided on the degree and extent to which this tendency reflects remission and/or recovery in older patients. In order to identify factors associated with a positive outcome we: * Investigate the course and the outcomes of the illness over the lifespan, as well as the life course and outcomes. * Investigate the current status of mental and physical health, quality of life as well as functional competence of elderly (55+ yr) with schizophrenia. Also the investigators \- Compare the trajectory and prognosis of schizophrenia (a chronic mental illness) with type 1 diabetes (a chronic somatic illness). This study will yield vital insights into how schizophrenia develops over time, isolating factors that determine how well patients fare. The perspective is to advance knowledge of elderly with schizophrenia with a view to optimizing and increasing the effectiveness of the interventions offered to this group.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Kjeld Andersen
The Psychiatric Research Foundation in Southern Denmark
Region of Southern Denmark
University of Southern Denmark
The Danish Mental Health Foundation
The Danish Health Foundation (Helsefonden)
The non-profit foundation Trygfonden.
Odense Patient Data Explorative Network
Jeppe Juhl and Ovita Juhls Memorial Grant
Butcher Max Wørzner and wife Inger Wørzner's Memorial Grant
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 95 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Initial schizophrenia diagnosis between the ages 18-40 (both incl) in the period 1970-1979 (both incl) Interview study: Residence in Region of Southern Denmark
Exclusion criteria
Interview study: Mental retardation \-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ageing with schizophrenia | up to 45 years | Prognosis measured by use of healthcare system, use of medicine, co-morbidity, mortality, causes of mortality, and socio-demographic data, including highest level of education, years of employment/un-employment, use of health- and welfare services. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of life | 1 month | Questionnaire |
| Remission | 6 months | Questionnaire |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed