ABSTRACT
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling illness, which is usually characterized as a constellation of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms or deficits (Fig. 1). Above all, schizophrenia is a disorder in which social, occupational, self-care, and interpersonal functions are severely reduced [1]. Schizophrenia is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide; 60-70% of patients do not marry, 10% commit suicide, and 20-40% of patients make at least one suicide attempt during their illness [1-3]. Patients with schizophrenia have a 20% shorter life expectancy than demographically matched control subjects [4], and the combination of impoverished life styles, medical care, and risk factors including both the illness itself and drug therapy result in a 4.3-fold increased rate of mortality from unnatural causes and 1.6-fold increased rate of mortality due to natural causes [5]. Cigarette smoking, obesity, substance abuse and dependence (especially alcohol), poor diet, and limited access to medical services contribute to the increased mortality rate [6]. However, despite many of the medical management issues facing our patients, we have made tremendous progress in treating this tragic illness. Patients maintained long term on second-generation (or atypical) antipsychotics have recovered function and regained their lives and sense of purpose. We must raise the bar on our stan-
dard of care for patients with schizophrenia and make restored function to perform and enjoy life’s many facets our ‘‘bottom line’’ [7].
