OBJECTIVES : To assess the relationship between caregiver burden, productivity burden and patient comorbidities in schizophrenia patients.

METHODS : A cross-sectional survey was conducted in USA from January to May 2014 through the Adelphi Schizophrenia Disease Specific Programme. Inclusion criteria comprised hospital/office-based psychiatrists who had been practicing for 2-40 years at time of study, saw ≥6 schizophrenia patients per week and were personally responsible for treatment decisions. Participating physicians provided information on their next 10 consulting schizophrenia patients aged ≥18, with the same patients invited to voluntarily complete a patient self-completion form (PSC).

RESULTS : Physicians (n=150) provided data on 1489 schizophrenia patients, of whom 680 completed a PSC. Of participating patients, 34% reported having a caregiver who was most commonly a relative (51%), professional help (20%) or partner/spouse (18%), spending an average of 36.0, 40.8 and 35.6 hours respectively per week caring for the patient. Only 27% patients were currently employed, with mean percentage impairment (WPAI scale) of 32.7 whilst working and 46.2 ability to perform daily activities.

Patients with caregivers reported higher percentage daily activity impairment on WPAI scale (53.2 vs. 41.6 without a caregiver; p<0.001), missed more time from work (27.6 vs 8.4 respectively; p<0.001), had lower overall Q-LES-Q score (48.6 vs. 54.0 respectively; p=0.003) and more frequently reported problems completing tasks/chores (69% vs. 46% respectively; p<0.001) and with family/social interactions (64% vs. 49% respectively; p=0.001). Patients with caregivers did not suffer from significantly higher mean number of comorbidities (2.2 vs 2.1 respectively), however were more likely to suffer from obesity (21% vs 15% respectively; p=0.017). Patients with obesity were more frequently unemployed (64% vs 54; p<0.001) and reported lower Q-LES-Q score (48.0 vs. 52.6; p=0.037).

CONCLUSIONS : Patients with caregivers have significantly greater productivity burden and impairment of daily functioning. Similarly, those with poorer outcomes are more likely to require caregiver support.