[COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES OF PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS: A CHART REVIEW STUDY]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a primary deficit in schizophrenia.
• Sociodemographic and medical factors influencing neurocognitive deficits require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine how age, physical diseases, anticholinergic drug use, gender, and education level affect cognitive abilities in psychiatric inpatients.
• To analyze the impact of these factors on cognitive performance in individuals with psychosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 249 inpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
• Cognitive function assessed using the Shulman's Clock Drawing Test (SCDT) and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE).

Main Results:

• Age, presence of physical diseases, and education level showed a significant linear relationship with cognitive performance (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively).
• Anticholinergic medication use and gender did not significantly influence cognitive capabilities.
• The Neuro-Behavioral-Cognitive Status Test demonstrated higher sensitivity than the Clock Drawing Test in the presence of physical illnesses.

Conclusions:

• Age, physical health status, and educational attainment are key factors influencing cognitive function in psychosis.
• Higher education may offer a protective effect against cognitive decline in schizophrenia.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering these factors in managing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.