Characteristic association of symbol coding test score with occupational function in Japanese patients with schizophrenia

AIM: Studies showed that cognitive function affects occupational function in patients with schizophrenia. This study aimed to determine the effects of cognitive function on occupational function in Japanese patients with schizophrenia using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). METHODS: Participants were 198 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (66 females; mean age 34.5 ± 6.8 years). Occupational function was assessed using the work subscale of the Life Assessment Scale for Mental Ill (LASMI‐w). Multiple regression analysis was performed using the BACS as the independent variable and LASMI‐w as the dependent variable. Furthermore, we divided the LASMI‐w score into three groups, <11, 11–20, and >21, and performed a multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that LASMI‐w score was negatively associated with BACS composite score (β = −0.20, p < 0.01). Among the sub‐items of the BACS, only the symbol‐coding score showed a significant negative association (β = −0.19, p < 0.05). Multinomial logistic analysis showed that the better the composite and symbol coding scores, the smaller the impairment of the occupational function (composite score: β = 2.39 between mild and moderate occupational impairments, p < 0.05; symbol coding score: β = 2.44 between mild and severe impairments, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The occupational function of patients with schizophrenia was associated with overall cognitive function (composite score). In particular, the symbol coding score of the BACS was suggested to be related to work ability. These results might be useful in the assessment and training of cognitive rehabilitation aimed at employment support.