Cognitive functions in the involuntary hospitalized schizophrenic patients.

OBJECTIVE

Objective of the study was to investigate differences in some important cognitive functions in the schizophrenic patients that were either involuntary or voluntary hospitalized in psychiatric hospital.

METHOD

30 involuntary hospitalized patients with schizophrenia were evaluated with neurocognitive battery and compared with a group of 30 voluntary hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Demographic and medical data were also analyzed

RESULTS

Involuntary hospitalized patients showed significantly poorer performance in some cognitive tests and no difference in the other cognitive tests in comparison with voluntary hospitalized patients. Involuntary hospitalized patients also had earlier onset of illness, higher number of psychiatric hospitalizations and involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations, and less regular psychiatric treatment. More often the reason for involuntary hospitalization was aggressive behavior.

CONCLUSION

Deficit of cognitive functioning could influence treatment decisions in schizophrenic patients, leading to poorer compliance and coping with illness and resulting in less favorable treatment options, like involuntary hospitalization.