Does Symptoms Severity Has Impact On Insight in Patients with Schizophrenia?

Abstract

Introduction

Lack of insight is often present in patients with schizophrenia. Considering the insight, clinical symptoms and their severity may be important Objective: To establish a level of insight in subjects with schizophrenia and compare it with positive, and negative symptoms of schizophrenia with regard of duration of illness. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 consecutive outpatients with schizophrenia. Two groups were formed regarding the duration of illness (≤2 years, and >3 years). Positive symptoms of SCH were established with 4 item positive symptom ranking scale – PSRS, and negative symptoms with Brief negative symptoms assesment – BNSA. The level of insight was established with Self appraisal of illness questionnaire – SAIQ. Results: There was not significant difference in PSRS score regarding the duration of illnes p=0.197, t-1.30, and small effect size was found. Average score of negative symptoms in the group with shorter duration of illness was 8.37±2.94, and in the group with longer duration 10.73±2.86. Independent Samples Test was significant p=0.003, t-2.367, and therefore difference of scores on BNSA whitin groups was significant. Moderate size effect was found (d 0.69). Total insight score on SAIQ was insignificantly correlated with positve and negative symptoms, regardles of the duration of illness. Conclusion: Longer duration of ilness has moderate effect on negative symptoms severity. Insight level is insignificantly correlated with positive and negative symptoms regardless of illness duration. Symptoms severity has minor impact on insight in patients with schizophrenia.