Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2007;10(2):113-122.

정신분열병 입원환자에서 항정신병약물에 대한 주관적 태도와 신경인지기능

Bo-Hyun Yoon, MD1, Jeong-Hoon Kim, MD2, Young-Hwa Sea, MD1, Soo-Hee Park, MD1 Ahn Bae, MD1, Kang-Young Jung, MD1 and Myung-Kyu Kim, MD1

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between subjective attitudes towards antipsychotics and objective neurocognitive functions in schizophrenic inpatients.
Methods:The subjects were clinically stable schizophrenic inpatients (N=53) who were hospitalized in Naju National Hospital. They were grouped into positive (N=40) and negative drug attitude groups(N=13) according to the total scores of Korean version of Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10). They were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS), UKU side effect rating scale (UKU), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptic Treatment (SWN). A battery of neurocognitive tests were also administered using Seoul Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test (SCNT).
Results:Patients with positive drug attutudes showed histories of earlier onset of disease and were more in unmarried status than those with negative drug attitudes. Group differences were not found in PANSS, CDSS, ESRS, UKU, and SOFAS. Patients with positive drug attitudes showed more impairments in visual and auditory continuous performance tests, visual span, and verbal auditory learning test than those with negative drug attitudes.
Conclusion:These findings were quite different from previous reports that negative attitude toward medication might be associated with neurocognitive dysfunctions. It suggests that subjective aspects toward medication measured by DAI may be a distinct dimension from objective neurocognitive profiles in terms of compliance. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2007;10:113-122)

Key Words: Schizophrenia,Antipsychotics,Subjective response,Drug attitude,Neurocognition