Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Friedman, J. I. Articles by Davis, K. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Friedman, J. I. Articles by Davis, K. L. Geriatric Psychiatry Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Symptoms/Dimensions

Correlates of Change in Functional Status of Institutionalized Geriatric Schizophrenic Patients: Focus on Medical Comorbidity

OBJECTIVE: Impairment in basic self-care skills is common in patients with schizophrenia and is even more severe in elderly patients with a chronic course of institutional care. While cognitive impairment has proven to be a major predictor of overall functional deficit in schizophrenia, other potential factors, such as medical comorbidity, need to be considered. METHOD: Geriatric institutionalized schizophrenic patients (N=124) were assessed three times over 4 years to determine levels of positive and negative symptoms, impairment in activities of daily living, impairment in cognitive functioning, and medical problems. Path analysis was used to determine which variables best predicted changes in self-care functions. RESULTS: Functional status, negative symptoms, cognitive functions, and health status all significantly worsened during the follow-up. The path analyses showed that change in health status did not predict change in activities of daily living after the analysis accounted for negative symptoms and cognitive functions. DISCUSSION: The results highlight the relative importance of cognitive impairments in the functional impairments of older schizophrenic patients with increased medical burden.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. SINGH and V. STRAND Spondyloarthritis Is Associated with Poor Function and Physical Health-Related Quality of Life J Rheumatol, May 1, 2009; 36(5): 1012 - 1020. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Burton Symptom domains of schizophrenia: the role of atypical antipsychotic agents J Psychopharmacol, November 1, 2006; 20(6_suppl): 6 - 19. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. A. Chwastiak, R. A. Rosenheck, J. P. McEvoy, R. S. Keefe, M. S. Swartz, and J. A. Lieberman Interrelationships of Psychiatric Symptom Severity, Medical Comorbidity, and Functioning in Schizophrenia Psychiatr Serv, August 1, 2006; 57(8): 1102 - 1109. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. D Harvey, D. Koren, A. Reichenberg, and C. R Bowie Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Deficits: What Is the Nature of Their Relationship? Schizophr Bull, April 1, 2006; 32(2): 250 - 258. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Milev, B.-C. Ho, S. Arndt, and N. C. Andreasen Predictive Values of Neurocognition and Negative Symptoms on Functional Outcome in Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal First-Episode Study With 7-Year Follow-Up Am J Psychiatry, March 1, 2005; 162(3): 495 - 506. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2002 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us