Comparison of the cognition status of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective are chronic psychiatric disorders that decrease cognitive ability. In this study we examined the cognitive problem in patients with these disorders. Method and Material: This study is a descriptive- analysis research conducted 309 men hospitalized in Ebne-Sina hospital in Mashhad, including 195 paranoid schizophrenia and 114 schizoaffective (Bipolar type).All the patients underwent the MMSE test with 6 domains; then the results were analyzed. Results: Cognitive impairment in Schizophrenic patients was more significant than schizoaffective patients (P =0.04) particularly in speech and motoric aspects (P = 0.032). Conclusion: Speech and motoric skills in schizophrenic patients get badly damaged; therefore, paying attention to this cognitive impairment in the process of treatment is necessary. Schizoaffective patients have less cognitive impairment but they suffer from attention insufficiency and calculation problems. This difference could be a root for ethiological differences.