Neurocognitive deficits and quality of life in outpatients with schizophrenia

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between neurocognitive deficits and quality of life for patient with schizophrenia. Fifty-seven schizophrenic outpatients (38 men and 19 women) were assessed for neurocognitive deficits using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and all patients completed the PCASEE (P=physical, C=cognitive, A=affective, S=social, E=economic- social, and E=ego functions) questionnaire to assess their quality of life. We assessed psychiatric symptoms using the Schedule for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). We rated the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) for extrapyramidal side effects. Pearson correlational analyses were conducted to assess the relationships among measures of quality of life. neurocognitive functioning, symptoms, and extrapyramidal side effects. There were significant relationships among the total score of the PCASEE questionnaire and the SANS total score and the AIMS total score (P<.001). Small but significant associations were found among the total score of the PCASEE questionnaire and the SAPS total score and a number of nonperseverative errors (P<.05). Negative symptoms and extrapyramidal side effects in schizophrenia appear to have direct impact on the patient's perceived quality of life. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.