COGNITIVE DETERMINANTS OF REAL WORLD SOCIAL FUNCTIONING IN FIRST EPISODE SCHIZOPHRENIA
Journal Title: Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 38
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia is well characterized and is believed to be the core feature in determining the long term social, vocational and community functioning. The aim and objective of the current study is to compare the cognitive functioning of a sample of patients experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia with that of normal controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients attending outpatient services of department of psychiatry in a tertiary care post graduate teaching hospital were screened for study inclusion. Based on the selection criterion, thirty-four patients who were experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia and 30 normal age, gender and education matched controls from the community were included in the study. Mini-plus, structured diagnostic instrument was used to diagnose Schizophrenia and The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for schizophrenia was utilized to measure psychopathology. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for occupational functioning, duration of untreated illness and sociodemographic indices. Specific cognitive tests measuring speed of processing, vigilance, working memory, executive functioning, new learning ability were used for assessment. Real world social functioning was assessed through social functioning index. RESULTS There were significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of cognitive functioning. Cases showed consistently poorer performance in all domains. Social functioning was related to specific cognitive indices and negative symptoms. CONCLUSION Working-memory (visual), set shifting and new learning ability (visual) significantly correlated with social functioning after controlling for education. Targeted interventions focusing visual memory and mental flexibility may be beneficial in improving social functioning in schizophrenic illness.
Authors and Affiliations
Vimal Doshi Veerappan, Devaraja Sivalingam, Preeti Kandaswamy, Madras Sundararajan Jagadeesan, Shanthi Nambi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP572285
- DOI 10.18410/jebmh/2018/564
- Views 83
- Downloads 0
PROFILE OF VIRAL CONJUCTIVITIS
INTRODUCTION: Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly seen in the outpatient department. A variety of viruses which are responsible for conjunctival infection, of which Adenovirus is the most common. It is highly contagiou...
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES IN A PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES IN RURAL INDIA
Cervical cancer is the most common preventable cancer noted in Indian women, having a major impact on their lives. Approximately, 70% of people reside in villages in India. Hence, the objectives of this study were to fin...
A STUDY OF MORPHOLOGY OF AIR CELLS IN THE MIDDLE TURBINATE AND IT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH SINUSITIS AND DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM
INTRODUCTION: Concha bullosa, the pneumatisation of the middle turbinate is commonly found as an anatomical variation and is said to be usually associated with deviated nasal septum. It is classified into bulbous, lamell...
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON POST-OPERATIVE PAIN BETWEEN BIPOLAR DIATHERMY AND LIGATION IN TONSILLECTOMY
BACKGROUND Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. It is usually safe and simple, but haemorrhage is the most feared complication post tonsillectomy because of the risk of airway obstruct...
CLINICAL STUDY OF POSTERIOR CHAMBER PHAKIC IOL PLACEMENT IN MYOPIC PATIENTS
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of posterior chamber phakic IOL in Myopic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective interventional study included 50 eyes of 50 patients wi...