Impact of Cognitive Impairments on Health-Related Quality of Life in Schizophrenia

The impact of cognitive impairments on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with schizophrenia is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between cognitive impairments and HRQoL in individuals with schizophrenia. A total of 609 individuals with schizophrenia were assessed on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and a neurocognitive battery which comprised of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence matrix reasoning, the Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test, Continuous Performance Tests-Identical Pairs, and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. A cognitive factor g was derived from the neurocognitive battery. EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D-5L) utility scores were derived from PANSS scores via a previously validated algorithm and used as a measure of HRQoL. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine the association between cognitive factor g and the EQ-5D-5L. Cognitive factor g (beta = 0.189, t = 4.956, p < 0.001) was found to be significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Age (beta = -0.258, t = -6.776, p < 0.001), sex (beta = 0.081, t = 2.117, p = 0.035), and being employed (beta = 0.091, t = 2.317, p = 0.021) were also significant predictors of EQ-5D-5L. Our results add to the extant literature on the burden cognitive impairments exact in individuals with schizophrenia. More research is needed to develop effective interventions for cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to examine the association between cognitive impairments and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with schizophrenia. The study found that cognitive factor g was significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Age, sex, and employment status were also significant predictors of EQ-5D-5L. These results are important for understanding the burden of cognitive impairments in individuals with schizophrenia.