Patient outcomes in schizophrenia II: the impact of cognition.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly considered to be the strongest clinical predictor of poor long-term outcome in schizophrenia. Associations have been found between the severity of cognitive deficits and social dysfunction, impairments in independent living, occupational limitations, and disturbances in quality of life (QOL).


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, the relationships of cognitive deficits and treatment outcomes in terms of QOL, needs, and psychosocial functioning were examined in 60 outpatients with schizophrenia who had a duration of illness over 2 years and had been treated with either clozapine or olanzapine for at least 6 months.


RESULTS
The present study suggests that cognitive functioning might be a predictor of work functioning/independent living outcome in stabilized patients with schizophrenia: deficits of visual memory and working memory were negatively associated with occupational functioning, and older patients lived independently and/or in a stable partnership more often. The patients' assessments of QOL and needs for care did not show any significant associations with cognitive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that cognitive functioning is a key determinant of work functioning/independent living for stable outpatients with schizophrenia.
Hofer
Alex
A
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. a.hofer@uibk.ac.at
Baumgartner
Susanne
S
Bodner
Thomas
T
Edlinger
Monika
M
Hummer
Martina
M
Kemmler
Georg
G
Rettenbacher
Maria A
MA
Fleischhacker
W Wolfgang
WW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003024:Clozapine; D000077152:Olanzapine