title: Sensitivity and specificity of the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA-B) for identifying functional milestones in schizophrenia.
abstract: Schizophrenia is a highly debilitating illness that often results in disruption to independent living and employment. However, "gold standard" methods of assessing functional abilities to achieve these milestones are still lacking. In a sample of 367 individuals with schizophrenia, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of the Brief UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA-B) to predict both residential and employment status. Of all individuals residing independently, 75.9% scored 78 or above on the UPSA-B, and of all individuals not residing independently, 59% scored below 78 on the UPSA-B. Of individuals who were employed, 73.9% scored above 82 on the UPSA-B, and of those not employed, 57.8% scored below 82. These results expand upon both the population base and functional milestones with which the UPSA-B is validated, although future work should examine whether the UPSA-B can be used as a decision aid in the likelihood of success in a longitudinal study, such as at critical transitions (post-hospitalization, cessation of supported housing).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, United States. bmausbach@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Brent T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Mausbach
authors.forename: Colin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Depp
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bowie
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Thronquist
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.forename: Paula S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Wolyniec
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pulver
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult