Treatment Experiences of Individuals With Schizophrenia: Findings From an Online Survey

Background: This study examined experiences of patients living with schizophrenia with a history of oral antipsychotic medication (OAM) use.

Methods: Adults with self-reported schizophrenia (N=200) who received OAM during the prior year completed a survey on symptoms, OAM side effects, impact of side effects on social functioning, and treatment adherence. Descriptive analyses were conducted for the total sample and for subgroups defined by the degree to which weight gain was bothersome, identified as a common side effect in a previously-conducted qualitative study.

Results: Mean age was 41.9 (SD=11.0) years (50% women, 32% nonwhite). Only half of participants (51%) thought that OAMs did more good than harm. Most participants (98%) experienced side effects, including anxiety (88%), feeling drowsy/tired (86%), and trouble concentrating (85%). Side effects frequently cited as “extremely bothersome” were sexual dysfunction (33%), weight gain (29%), and feeling drowsy/tired (22%). Over 80% reported that side effects negatively impacted social functioning including work, social activities, and family/romantic relationships. Since initiating treatment, 56% stopped taking OAM at some point (65% due to side effects). Common side effects leading to OAM discontinuation were feeling like a “zombie” (22%), feeling drowsy/tired (21%), and weight gain (20%). Participants with more bothersome weight gain also cited challenges with social functioning and OAM adherence.

Conclusions: People with schizophrenia experience extensive OAM side effects, which impact social functioning and treatment adherence. Results highlight an unmet need for pharmacologic approaches that reduce bothersome side effects.

This poster was presented at the 32nd annual Psych Congress, held Oct. 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California.