[COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES OF PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS: A CHART REVIEW STUDY].

INTRODUCTION

In patients with schizophrenia the most impaired competence is cognition. However, the sociodemographic and medical contributors to the various neurocognitive deficits have yet to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of age, physical diseases, anticholinergic medications, gender and level of education on psychotic inpatients' cognitive capabilities.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review.

Participants

249 (153 men and 96 women) inpatients with psychosis (schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders) who underwent cognitive evaluation using occupational therapy tools, namely, Shulman's Clock Drawing Test (SCDT) and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE).

RESULTS

Significant linear relationship was found between age (p<0.001), presence of relevant physical diseases (p<0.05) and level of education (p<0.001) and between cognitive performance. Anticholinergic medications and gender did not affect cognitive capabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, physical diseases and education, but not anticholinergics, seem to impact cognitive capabilities of inpatients with psychosis.

DISCUSSION: The study indicates higher sensitivity of the Neuro-Behavioral-Cognitive Status Test than that of the Clock Drawing Test, when physical illnesses are present. Aditionally, according to the results of both tests, one may assume that a high level of education constitutes a protective element from cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia.