# Safety Profile of Antipsychotics as Predictors of the Quality of Life in Patients with Schizophrenia—An Inpatient Welfare Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study examines how side effects from antipsychotic medications affect the quality of life for schizophrenia patients in a welfare institution.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific antipsychotic side effects and their impact on quality of life in schizophrenia patients using a cross-sectional design.

## Key findings

- Patients experienced an average of 3.56 psychiatric and 7.12 other side effects from antipsychotics.
- Higher UKU scores were negatively correlated with quality of life measures like EQ-5D-5L and WHOQOL-BREF.
- Accommodation, antipsychotic type, and dosing regimen significantly influenced UKU scores.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Adverse effects of antipsychotics represent a significant limiting factor in achieving favorable therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of schizophrenia, and may contribute to a diminished quality of life among affected individuals. The primary objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the adverse effects of antipsychotics in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were treated at the social welfare institution, as well as to analyze the impact of these adverse effects on patients’ overall quality of life. Methods: A clinical, observational cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a sample of 278 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The patients were assessed in terms of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Adverse effects of antipsychotics were evaluated using The Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale, while quality of life was assessed in the previous study. Results: The average number of adverse effects per patient with schizophrenia was 3.56 for psychiatric, 1.18 for neurological, 2.62 for autonomic, and 7.12 for other side effects. The average UKU score was 17.22 ± 11.04, with significant differences based on accommodation, antipsychotic type, and dosing regimen. UKU scores were negatively correlated with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire—Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) score, and the scores of physical and psychological domains of the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the presence of antipsychotic-related adverse effects is a significant determinant that can negatively influence the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. These results underscore the importance of an individualized approach when determining pharmacological treatment strategies in the management of schizophrenia.