engleski

Changes in language abilities, attention and processing speed in patients with first-episode psychosis after 18-month follow-up

Introduction: According to previous literature, language abilities, attention and processing speed are often emphasized as the most impaired among different domains of neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia. Our aim was to investigate the course of changes in these neurocognitive functions in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) during an 18-month follow-up. Methods: This study is a part of the prospective cohort study: “Biomarkers in schizophrenia-integration of complementary methods in longitudinal follow up of FEP”. We recruited 159 FEP at the acute phase of illness during their first hospital treatment at two Croatian psychiatric clinics. Patients were assessed with sociodemographic questionnaire, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and neurocognitive tests for language abilities (Phonetic and Semantic Fluency Test), attention and processing speed (Stroop Test, Trial Making Test A, Digit Symbol Test) at two time points: during the first-episode of illness and after 18 months of follow-up. Results: As 30 patients (19%) were lost to follow-up, we analyzed 129 patients. Relative improvement rates in particular tests for attention and processing speed ranged from 11% to 19%, and for language abilities were 7% for Phonetic and 8% for Semantic Fluency test. Results were statistically significant for all tests and subtests besides Phonetic Fluency (p=0.311). Conclusions: Although there was a slight improvement in language abilities after 18-months follow-up, it seems that impairment of these abilities needs more time to recover or that it remains relatively stable trait during the course of illness.

first-episode psychosis ; schizophrenia ; cognitive functioning ; laguage abilities ; follow-up

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