Subjective attitude towards antipsychotics and neurocognitive functions in schizophrenic inpatients

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the relationships between subjective attitudes towards antipsychotics and objective cognitive function in schizophrenia patients.

Method:

The subjects of study were clinically stable schizophrenic patients (N=55) who were hospitalized in Naju National Hospital. They were grouped into positive (N=35) and negative drug attitude groups (N=20) by Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10). They were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Extrapyramial Symptom Rating Scale, UKU side effect rating scale, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptic Treatment. A battery of neurocognitive tests were also administered using Seoul Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test.

Results:

Patients between positive and negative drug attitudes did not differ in social demographic and clinical characteristics. They also showed no differences in neurocognition tests except a subset of verbal auditory learning test.

Conclusions:

These findings may indicate no associations between subjective drug attitudes and objective neurocognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenic inpatients. It suggests that subjective aspects measured by DAI may be a distinct dimension from objective neurocognitive profiles in terms of compliance.