Additive effects of alcohol in patients with schizophrenia on their cognitive function

BACKGROUND: –Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects various domains of socio-occupational functioning.Cognitive dysfunction is seen early in the illness and gradually increases with time .Substance abuse is common in Schizophrenia.The lifetime prevalence of any drug abuse(other than tobacco) is often>50% & is associated with poorer outcome. AIM: – To explore the possible additive effect of alcohol on cognitive function among patients with Schizophrenia. METHODS: – A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the inpatient department of a psychiatric tertiary care centre. The study consisted of 40 participants (36 males and 4 females).All participants between the ages of 18 –60 years, who met diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia (ICD 10) and those with AUDIT score>8 (for dual diagnosis group) ,had at least 2 years of illness duration. Persons who had a co-morbid psychiatric illness, medical illness were excluded. Patients were allocated into 2 groups - schizophrenia & schizophrenia plus alcohol use disorder.Symptom severity was assessed using PANSS ,cognitive assessment was done using PGI memory subsets (Verbal retention for similar & dissimilar pairs,Visual retention and recognition) Trail A &Trail B. RESULTS: – Verbal retention for dissimilar pairs (t= -5.14 ,p=0.02) was better in Schizophrenia group as compared to dual diagnosis group.Differences between mean values were present in other tests among both the groups but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION -: Cognitive decline is more prominent in dual diagnosis group (schizophrenia plus alcohol use disorder ) as compared to Schizophrenia group.