Patient satisfaction with treatment is a pertinent outcome for evaluating the effectiveness of psychotropic medication. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of a new multi-item scale of PAtient SAtisfaction with Psychotropic treatment (PASAP).

ESPASS is a, prospective, national observational study conducted in France on adult patients with schizophrenia (n=6007) requiring initiation or switch of antipsychotic medication. Demographics, psychiatric history, clinical status (CGI, IAQ) and pharmacological treatment patterns were recorded by psychiatrists at inclusion, 1, 3 and 6-months. Patients previously treated with an antipsychotic (n=4631) also completed a questionnaire on compliance, sexual problems, satisfaction with care and the 9-item PASAP scale (6 items evaluating their opinion of treatment and 3 items evaluating the prescriber). Each PASAP item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Patients who completed the 9-items were called PASAP completers.

63% of patients completed the PASAP scale at inclusion (2924/4631) and 53% at 6-months (2031/3829). PASAP completers were similar to non-completers for gender and marital status but were different for age, income level, duration of psychiatric care and severity of symptoms (p<0.001). Response rate to each item was ≥99%. At inclusion, principal component analysis suggested unidimensionality of the scale (Cronbach alpha=0.84). Inter-item correlation was satisfactory (>0.3) for most items. Responsiveness (sensitivity to change) at 6 months was good with the PASAP (effect size=0.731) and equivalent to the CGI (effect size=0.783).

The psychometric characteristics of the PASAP scale are good. French and English versions are available free on request.