Quality of life and physical activity levels in outpatients with schizophrenia

Eluana Gomes, Tânia Bastos, Michel Probst, José C. Ribeiro, Gustavo Silva, Rui Corredeira

To assess quality of life (QoL) and physical activity (PA) levels of outpatients with schizophrenia and healthy controls matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Additionally, the present study investigated associations between PA levels, QoL, and anthropometric and behavioral measures among outpatients with schizophrenia. Thirty-two outpatients with schizophrenia and 32 individuals without mental illness were included in the study. QoL and PA levels were assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument - Abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref) and by GT3X triaxial accelerometers, respectively. Outpatients with schizophrenia had poorer QoL and lower vigorous PA levels compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). The group with schizophrenia showed a significant association between higher weight and lower scores in the mental health domain of the WHOQOL-Bref. A higher BMI was also significantly associated with lower scores in the physical health domain of the WHOQOL-Bref. Schizophrenic patients with smoking behaviors were associated with fewer steps per day and with less moderate to vigorous PA. This study seeks to shed some light upon the lifestyle of patients with schizophrenia. New psychosocial approaches should focus on PA, weight, and smoking management, thereby helping these patients to improve their QoL.