and Patient Cohort The Malaga Schizophrenia Case-Register (Resma): Overview of Methodology

ABSTRACTBackground: Little information has become available after psychiatric reforms regarding outcomes of persons with schizophrenia and related disorders cared for in community-based mental health facilities. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of psychiatric services in the users of mental health services in Malaga. Method: We describe the cohort and methods involved in the Schizophrenia Case Register (RESMA) in Malaga, Spain. All cases ( n = 1,022) were users of public mental health services provided in the catchment area over one year. The majority were male (65%), single (68%), living with their original family (50%), with primary education (41%) and living on disability benefi ts (52%). Results: Concerning use of services, the majority had out-patient contacts (89%). Results show a substantial overlap in the use of different services during the study period. Conclusion: The Malaga Schizophrenia Case Register provides sociodemographic, clinical and service use information for a large sample of patients with schizophrenia or related disorders. Results obtained from the cohort studied will be instru-mental for the follow-up and evaluation of the mental health care reform.Key words: community mental health care, psychiatric case register, schizophrenia