Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors related with Symptomatic Relapse in Patients with Schizophrenia in Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate factors associated with symptomatic relapse in schizophrenia. Psychometric assessments using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (49 males and 11 females) across four psychiatric hospitals in the Peshawar region of Pakistan. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests to determine the significance of the associations among study major variables. Among clinical factors, the duration of illness was significantly associated with symptomatic relapse (p < 0.05). Among sociodemographic factors, symptomatic relapse was significantly associated with unemployment, being unmarried (p < 0.01), lower levels of education, younger age, and a monthly income of less than twelve thousand Pakistani rupees (p < 0.05). This is the first study conducted in Pakistan to examine the role of clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with symptomatic relapse in schizophrenia. It is crucial for mental health professionals to address these clinical and sociodemographic factors to improve treatment outcomes.