[Predictors for hospitalization rates of patients with schizophrenia].

INTRODUCTION

For clinicians and care providers, the use of hospital facilities by patients with schizophrenia is one of the areas of most concern in the field of mental health studies. The objective of this study is to determine those characteristics which relate to hospital admissions for this group of patients.

METHOD

A one year follow up study for a group of 83 patients with schizophrenia in contact with mental health services was carried out to identify the socio-demographic, clinical and care needs' variables related to hospital admissions.

RESULTS

As a result of the multivariate models applied, male patients presenting hyperactivity, thought disturbance, deliria and exaggerated interpretation, socially embarrassing behaviour and use of drugs were shown to be those with a greater probability of hospital admission.