title: Language disturbance and functioning in first episode psychosis.
abstract: Language disturbance has a central role in the presentation of psychotic disorders however its relationship with functioning requires further clarification, particularly in first episode psychosis (FEP). Both language disturbance and functioning can be evaluated with clinician-rated and performance-based measures. We aimed to investigate the concurrent association between clinician-rated and performance-based measures of language disturbance and functioning in FEP. We assessed 108 individuals presenting to an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service in Ireland. Formal thought disorder (FTD) dimensions and bizarre idiosyncratic thinking (BIT) were rated with structured assessment tools. Functioning was evaluated with a performance-based instrument, a clinician-rated measure and indicators of real-world functioning. The disorganisation dimension of FTD was significantly associated with clinician-rated measures of occupational and social functioning (Beta=-0.19, P<0.05 and Beta=-0.31, P<0.01, respectively). BIT was significantly associated with the performance-based measure of functioning (Beta=-0.22, P<0.05). Language disturbance was of less value in predicting real-world measures of functioning. Clinician-rated and performance-based assessments of language disturbance are complementary and each has differential associations with functioning. Communication disorders should be considered as a potential target for intervention in FEP, although further evaluation of the longitudinal relationship between language disturbance and functioning should be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: eric.roche@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.affiliation: UCD CSTAR, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: ricardo.segurado@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Segurado
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, UK. Electronic address: laoise.renwick@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Laoise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Renwick
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: aisling.mcclenaghan@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Aisling
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McClenaghan
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: sarah.sexton@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sexton
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: timothy.frawley@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frawley
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: carol.chan@ucdconnect.ie.
authors.forename: Carol K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: Maurice.bonar@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonar
authors.affiliation: Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team (DETECT) Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: mary.clarke@sjog.ie.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013850:Thinking
keywords: Bizarre idiosyncratic thinking; Formal thought disorder; Functioning; Language; Psychosis