Depression in male patients with schizophrenia residing in half-way house for protection and development of mental disabilities, Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder with prominently impaired cognitive ability and daily life functioning, resulting in institutionalization for some patients A common comorbidity of patients with schizophrenia is depression that could further reduce patients quality of life.

Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression and associated factors in male patients with schizophrenia residing at Half-way House for Protection and Development of Mental Disabilities, Pathum Thani Province.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among patients with schizophrenia who was residing at the half-way house. The data collection period for all eligible patients was from September 2019 to November 2019. The demographic characteristics, medical history and cause of residency of the participants were collected from the patients’ profiles together with the interviews of the caregivers. All subjects were interviewed with two questionnaires, namely: 1) The Thai Version of Calgary Depression Scale of Schizophrenia (CDSS); and, 2) The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS). Furthermore, depression was presented in both score and prevalence and the correlation with other factors.

Results: Most of the eligible 319 male patients with schizophrenia were in the age range between 40 – 59 years, with an average age of 48.9 years. It was found that the prevalence rate of depression in male patients with schizophrenia in the half-way house was 39.5%. Additionally, it was reported that the most prevalence rate of depression was found in high and intermediate independent patients which accounted for 57.1% and 41.3%, respectively. However, there was no prevalence of depression in Group-C patients. Moreover, the associated factors of depression included suicidal history found in 44 patients (34.9%, OR 0.506 95% CI 0.276, 0.926, P = 0.027), adverse effects of medications found in 74 patients (23.2%, OR 0.423 95% CI 0.236, 0.757, P = 0.004), the number of times that patients miss taking their medications in a week found in 11 patients (2.82%, OR 0.526 95% CI 0.300, 0.921, P = 0.025) and total PANSS score (OR 0.982 95% CI 0.970, 0.994, P = 0.003).

Conclusion: The prevalence rate of depression among the male patients in the half-way house was accounted for 39.5% which mostly found in patients who had a history of suicide, adversely affected by their medications, and missed taking the medications during the week. Further depression was associated with current mental symptoms in inversed - U shape. Therefore, it is crucial to provide support for patients who had a suicidal history. It is also considered to monitor patients’ medications and their mental symptoms closely. Additionally, providing patients with the opportunities to receive counselling sessions and psychological support would display the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in the welfare house, especially for the patients with schizophrenia.