The relationship of insight with psychopathology and neuropsychological functioning in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the different dimensions of insight with clinical variables, symptom severity, and cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. Method: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 66 outpatients that applied to the Karadeniz Technical University, Psychiatry Clinic and were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV were evaluated. The patients were evaluated with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID-I), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and the Schedule for Assessing the Three Components of Insight (SAI). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Trail Making Test A and B and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test were applied to assess the cognitive function of each patient. Results: The insight levels of the patients that were evaluated with SAI were found to be correlated with PANSS positive, negative, and general psychopathology symptom severity as well as Verbal Fluency Test and Trail Making Test A and B scores. In the multiple linear regression analysis, PANSS positive, Verbal Fluency Test and Trail Making Test A scores were determined the contributors of SAI total score. Conclusions: The relationship between insight and clinical symptoms may change depending on the course of the disease and severity of symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of frontal executive function in the relationship between insight and cognitive functions.