title: Measuring memory impairment in community-based patients with schizophrenia. Case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of memory impairment studies in schizophrenia are cohort studies using laboratory-based tests, which make it difficult to estimate the true extent and relevance of memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia in the community.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the extent of memory impairment in community-based patients with schizophrenia using a clinically relevant test.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with schizophrenia (n=190) in one catchment area were identified, of whom 133 were potentially eligible for the study; 73 patients volunteered to take part. They were assessed using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), the National Adult Reading Test, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales and the Scales and the Office for National Statistics Classification of Occupation. Their performance on the memory test was compared with that of matched controls (n=71).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients as a group performed significantly worse (P<0.001) than controls on the RBMT. Using the RBMT normative scores, 81% of patients were found to have impaired memory compared with 28% of controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a clinically relevant test, the majority of community-based patients with schizophrenia may have memory impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester, UK. mmaul@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Uzri
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Reveley
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mackintosh
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003153:Community Health Services; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents