A comparison of sleep, fatigue and quality of life of asymptomatic and schizophrenic individuals

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the important parameters for life, such as sleep, fatigue and quality of life, between the asymptomatic and schizophrenic individuals. Material and Methods: The study included 38 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia by the psychiatrist and 39 asymptomatic individuals.All participants of our study applied to the outpatient clinic of Kirikkale High Specialization Hospital, Community Mental Health Center. Sociodemographic information of the individuals was questioned by the evaluation form. Sleep qualities of the individuals were evaluated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), fatigue scores were evaluated with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and quality of life scores were evaluated with World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Turkish Version (WHOQOLBREF-TR). Results: A total of 77 individuals aged between 20 and 71 were included in the study. The mean age of the individuals with schizophrenia was 40.07 ± 12.14 years, whereas the mean age of the asymptomatic individuals was 43.61 ± 12.19 years.When the quality of sleep and the sleeping medication use were examined between the two groups, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). When the total scores of the sleep quality questionnaires were evaluated between the two groups, it was detected that there was no statistical difference (p>0.05).When the quality of life was evaluated between the two groups, it was seen that the physical and social sub-parameters of the patients with schizophrenia were worse (p<0.05).It was detected that there was no statistically significant difference in evaluations of fatigue severity between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was found that individuals with schizophrenia had a lower quality of life than asymptomatic individuals.We think that the physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches in addition to medical and psychotherapy should be applied to improve sleep quality and quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia.