The influence of caregivers on treatment of patients with schizophrenia in rural China

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although family burden has been extensively explored in patients with schizophrenia, the influence of various caregivers on treatment status are still unknown, especially in rural community. The aims of the study were to determine the influence of various caregivers on the treatment status among a previously identified cohort of patients with schizophrenia in rural China. METHODS: A 10-year follow-up investigation among a 1994 cohort (n=510) of patients with schizophrenia was conducted in Xinjin County, Chengdu, China. All the patients and their informants were followed up in 2004 using the Patients Follow-up Scale. RESULTS: One half of the patients (50.4%) were cared for by their spouse, 15.5% by offspring, 12.4% by their parents, 11.1% by others, and 10.6% without caregivers. The rate of living in shabby or unstable house was significant lower in patients with caregivers (9.2%) than those without caregivers (42.6%) (pb0.001). A significantly smaller proportion of patients whose primary caregiver was a parent (4.8%) or spouse (10.5%) had never received psychiatric treatment than of those without a caregiver (27.8%) (pb0.01). Patients were more likely to accept regular antipsychotic treatment over one year if their primary caregiver was a parent (39.7%) or spouse (31.5%) than if they had no caregiver (13.0%) (pb0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The role of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia is crucial in the patientsT treatment and rehabilitation in rural China. Different caregivers may have various influences on the treatment outcome of the patients. Further studies should merit to exploring the influence of various caregivers on the outcomes of the illness.