title: Are cardiovascular risk factors associated with verbal learning and memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia? A cross-sectional study.
abstract: Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships of cardiovascular risk factors with verbal learning and memory in patients with schizophrenia. Methods and Design. cross-sectional study. Inclusion Criteria. Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria. Data Collection. Sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements, blood tests, and episodic memory using the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Analysis. A multivariate analysis using multiple linear regressions was performed to determine variables that are potentially associated with verbal learning and memory. Results. One hundred and sixty-eight outpatients participated in our study. An association was found between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and memory impairment on measures of verbal learning, and short- and long-term memory. Among the different components of MeTS, hypertriglycerides, abdominal obesity, and low HDL cholesterol were the only factors associated with memory impairment. Alcohol dependence or abuse was associated with a higher rate of forgetting. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that MetS and alcohol use may be linked with memory impairment in schizophrenia. These findings provide important insights into the interdependencies of cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive disorders and support novel strategies for treating and preventing cognitive disorders in patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Disease, and Quality of Life Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France ; Department of Psychiatry, Sainte-Marguerite University Hospital, 13009 Marseille, France ; Department of Addiction, Sainte-Marguerite University Hospital, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lancon
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dassa
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Raphaelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Richieri
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Padovani
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boyer