Quality of life (QOL) has been recognized as an important outcome of schizophrenia treatment. We examined whether global functional status, symptomatology and neurocognition would contribute to quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.

Eighty six stable schizophrenic outpatients (DSM-IV-TR criteria) were included. All patients were receiving antipsychotic treatment. Functioning and clinical assessment included the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF), the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANNS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Neurocognition assessment evaluated attentive functions, verbal memory-learning, executive functions and perceptual-motor speed. QOL has been evaluated using an objective measure (Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale, QLS). Indices correlated with QOL (p<0,005) were then included in a multiple regression analysis using QOL as the dependent variable and the Bonferroni correction.

QLS total score was predicted by global functioning and negative symptoms (F=56,47, p<0,001), which accounted for 57% of the variance. Social activity, intrapsychic functioning and use of objects and participation in activities domains were also predicted by global functioning and negative symptoms whereas instrumental functioning domain were predicted only by global functioning.

Our findings suggest that, in outpatients with schizophrenia, global functioning and negative symptoms seem to play a role on modifying QOL while neurocognition doesn't seem to have a direct impact on QOL.