Quality of Life Indicators in In-patients of Psychiatric Unit: a Pilot Cross-sectional Comparative Study

Background: quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept refiecting subjective assessments of physical, psychological, and social well-being. QoL studying in patients, especially in psychiatry, remains a significant challenge due to its marked reduction in persons with mental disorders. The aim was to assess the QoL of psychiatric in-patients and identify differences compared to control groups of healthy individuals from different countries. Patients and Control Groups: the study included 60 patients (46 women and 14 men) aged 60 ± 1.73 years, hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Most patients were rural residents (80%). Concomitant somatic diseases were detected in 90%, including cardiovascular pathologies, endocrine disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Patient data were compared with indicators of control groups of individuals without mental and somatic disorders from the USA (n = 60) and the results of population studies in the Russian Federation and New Zealand. Methods: Clinical-epidemiological, clinical, and anthropometric data were obtained from medical records. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using the SF-36 questionnaire to assess QoL. Correlation analysis and statistical methods (t-test, Mann-Whitney test) were used for data analysis. Results: in-patients demonstrated significantly lower QoL scores across all SF-36 scales, except for Physical Functioning (PF), which was higher due to the participation of younger patients. Correlations were identified between age and QoL indicators, such as PF, General Health (GH), and Vitality (VT). No significant differences between genders were found. Conclusion: the study confirms reduced QoL in psychiatric in-patients, highlighting the need for integrating the treatment of comorbid somatic diseases to improve overall health and well-being.

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