Age and other factors relevant to the rehospitalization of schizophrenic outpatients

In this study 50 of 51 schizophrenic long-term patients treated by a community-based outpatient service were followed-up for 2 years. Factors known to be relevant for rehospitalization were correlated with the rate of hospitalizations 1) in the past, 2) during the last year and 3) during the follow-up period. We were particularly interested in the influence of the patient's age on readmission. In agreement with previous research, the results showed that the best predictor of future admissions was the number of previous hospitalizations. Age also has a high predictive value and correlates not only significantly with the hospitalization rates but also with other factors relevant for readmission such as drug compliance, antisocial behavior and suicidal risk. This, however, only partly explains the frequency of rehospitalization, as partial correlation shows. Although items concerning compliance were highly correlated with previous hospitalizations, they had less predictive value, contrary to the findings in the literature.