Nature and Correlates of Executive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background: Executive function (EF) impairment has been demonstrated in patients with schizophrenia. This study attempted to examine the clinical and demographic correlates associated with the different components of EF in these patients using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Materials and Methods: Consecutive inpatients with schizophrenia in remission were recruited. The following instruments were administered: (a) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), (b)World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, (c) Tower of London, (d) Stroop Test, (e) Controlled Oral Word Association Test, (f) Animal Names Test, and (g) Verbal N-Back Test. Sociodemographic and clinical details were also recorded. Data was analyzed using standard bivariate and multivariate statistics. Results: A total of 50 patients were recruited. The mean age of the population was 30 years (standard deviation [SD]: 7.74). The majority were male, literate, single, from a rural background, from a middle socioeconomic background, and unemployed. The mean dose of antipsychotic medication was 618.57 mg (SD: 282.08) of chlorpromazine equivalents per day. Impairment was found in the different sub-components of EF. On multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with executive dysfunction were lower education, unemployment, lower income, positive PANSS score, higher antipsychotic dose, and history of treatment with electroconvulsive therapy. Conclusion: EFs encompass a wide range of cognitive processes that influence an individual’s ability to adapt and function in the society. These are often impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Clinicians need to be aware of these deficits and factors associated with them, to plan appropriate and effective remedial measures.

Prevalence, correlates and explanatory models of cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia—A cross sectional study

“…This is again in contrast to other studies that have reported antipsychotic dosage and history of ECT as associated with greater cognitive deficits. [ 35 , 36 ] Patients who reported a family history of schizophrenia also did not have a lower score on cognitive testing. Literature is replete with reports that cognitive dysfunction is not exclusive to patients and is often found in their first-degree relatives but to a much lesser degree.…”

Một Số Yếu Tố Liên Quan Đến Suy Giảm Nhận Thức Ở Bệnh Nhân Tâm Thần Phân Liệt

“…-Trình độ học vấn: Bệnh nhân có trình độ học vấn từ THPT trở lên có tỷ lệ suy giảm nhận thức ít hơn với ý nghĩa thống kê p=0,000, OR=0,311. Nghiên cứu của Noel và cs (2020) cũng cho rằng số năm học càng nhiều thì khả năng suy giảm nhận thức càng ít hơn ở nhóm bệnh nhân tâm thần phân liệt [7].…”