title: Subjective cognitive complaints in schizophrenia: relation to antipsychotic medication dose, actual cognitive performance, insight and symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subjective cognitive complaints are prevalent in those affected by functional psychoses and a variety of possible associated factors have been investigated. However, few studies have examined these potential factors within single studies or analyses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with a history of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (n = 115) and a non-clinical comparison group (n = 45) completed the Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). The patient group also completed the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale (PANSS), the Birchwood Insight Scale (IS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BACS and SSTICS scores were associated in the non-clinical comparison group, but not in the patient group. In the patient group worse subjective cognition was associated positively with good insight, greater dysphoria and greater positive symptoms. Linear regression revealed that, once other variables had been accounted for, dysphoria (HADS anxiety and depression factor) was the only significant predictor of SSTICS scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective cognitive impairment in patients with psychosis in the absence of formal testing should not be taken as evidence of impaired cognitive functioning. Mood should be investigated when patients present with subjective cognitive complaints.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sellwood
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rosie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heffernan
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bentall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents