Assessment of the effectiveness of psychosocial rehabilitation in schizophrenia patients using biological markers

Introduction An important aspect of rehabilitation programmes is assessment of their effectiveness, which is carried out mainly through clinical and psycho-pathological examinations, psychometric and psychological scales and questionnaires. The use of biological markers of the schizophrenic process to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation assistance is of considerable interest. Objectives To compare the clinical and socio-psychological characteristics of schizophrenia patients receiving psychosocial treatment in various forms of psychiatric care with the level of immune system activation reflecting the activity and severity of the pathological process in brain. Methods 77 schizophrenia patients in remission of varying quality were examined, of which 52 patients (the 1st group) participated in a long-term comprehensive rehabilitation programme (3.7±2.5 years) in non-profit organization, and 25 patients (the 2nd group) received medical and rehabilitation assistance in the psychiatric day hospital (duration of treatment no more than 60 days). PANSS, HDRS, SAS-SR, SF-36, BRS scales were used. The activity of the pathological process was evaluated by the level of inflammatory markers. Results Both patient groups showed a similar increase in the level of inflammatory and autoimmune markers compared to control (p<0,01). The 1st group compared to the 2nd one had a significantly higher level (p<0,05) of social functioning, stress resistance, awareness of the disease, motivation, comprehensiveness, as well as less the severity of psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions The results indicate the effectiveness of a long-term comprehensive rehabilitation programme to stabilize clinical remission, improve social functioning and the quality of life in schizophrenia patients, despite the active pathological process in brain.