Demographic and neuro-cognitive characteristics of patients with schizophrenia in Bahrain

Abstract

Previous research has indicated differential patterns of neuro-cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we explored the relationship between neuro-cognitive functioning with both socio-demographic and symptom characteristics of 35 Arab patients attending an out-patient psychiatric clinic in the kingdom of Bahrain.

All patients participated in an OPCRIT diagnostic assessment, assisted in the completion of a socio-demographic questionnaire (CSSRI) and completed a minimum of four computerized neuro-cognitive tests from the CANTAB. These were Motor Screening (MOT), Paired Associates Learning (PAL: Visual Leaning and New Memory), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC: Spatial Planning and Frontal Lobe functioning) and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED: Testing rule acquisition and reversal)). The average age of onset of symptoms was at age 28 (age range 19–47) and symptom onset in the majority of cases was within between 1 and 6 months. Results indicated using standard score measures on tests of cognitive function that the majority of patients experienced significant deficits in the areas of frontal lobe functioning, working memory and visual memory. Neuro-cognitive test results were not related to

(1) presence/absence of insight,

(b) diagnostic category, and

(c) duration of illness.

However, results did appear to predict employment status.

Results are discussed in the context of service provision and development of psychiatric services for patients with schizophrenia in the Kingdom of Bahrain.