A comparison of cognition between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Correlation between some factors of the illness and cognition in schizophrenia

Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2024, 60(1), 44-48.

K. Akabalieva

Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia

Abstract. Background: The aim of the study was to compare the performance of 4 cognitive tests in schizophrenia patients and controls and to analyze the influence of some factors of the illness on cognitive abilities. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 76 patients with schizophrenia and 72 healthy controls, who were evaluated with 4 cognitive tests – Trail making test A and B, Digit symbol test, Verbal fluency test. Descriptive statistics, T-student test, Pearson correlation analysis, ANCOVA were used in the analysis of the results. Results: Schizophrenia patients showed statistically significantly worse results in all four cognitive tests compared to healthy controls. There is a clinically significant correlation between the age of onset, even when controlling the age of the patient and the years of illness with the results of cognitive tests. Conclusions: An earlier age of onset of the schizophrenic process as well as a longer duration of illness correlate with a greater deterioration of cognition in schizophrenia. The schizophrenic process impairs cognition, independently of the natural decline of cognition with age progression.

Key words: schizophrenia, cognition, factors of the illness

Address for correspondence: Katerina Akabalieva, MD, e-mail: katerina_akabalieva@yahoo.com