S105. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORMAL THOUGHT DISORDER, AND FUNCTIONING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ULTRA HIGH RISK FOR PSYCHOSIS

Abstract

Background: Formal thought disorder (FTD) in individuals with ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) is grouped as positive and negative FTD. It has been reported that FTD in this group is related to conversion to psychosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between FTD and severity of clinical symptoms, global and role functioning, premorbid adjustment level and cognition in our UHR sample (n=121). We also studied relationship between FTD at baseline and functioning at sixth month of follow-up. Method(s): Positive FTD was measured by sum of item scores in formal thought disorder subset of Schedule for Assessment of positive Symptoms (SAPS). Negative FTD was measured by sum of related items of Schedule for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Global functioning was measured by GAF score at baseline. Relationship between cognition and FTD was evaluated by a cognitive battery consist of 7 cognitive test (n=60). We applied Premorbid Adjustment Scale to assess premorbid level of adjustment. Role functioning was evaluated based on work/study status during one month before first contact. Result(s): FTD items were appeared under three factors as "association disorder factor", "negative FTD factor" and "disorganization" factor. Last two factors were correlated to CAARMS-disorganized thinking" score. Negative FTD factor score was higher among males, and only this factor was found related to work/school status at baseline. Negative FTD factor score but not the positive FTD was also correlated to age, education (years), GAF at baseline. Only negative FTD score was correlated to cognitive tests related to attention, cognitive flexibility and interference inhibition. Discussion(s): Our findings suggest that only negative formal thought disorder but not the positive FTD is related to functioning and cognitive performance in UHR group.