Research view
Title: | Cognitive functions in euthymic Egyptian patients with bipolar disorder: Are they different from healthy controls? |
Author: | Tarek A. Okasha , Mona M. El Sheikh , Ahmed A. El Missiry , Marwa A. El Missiry , Doha El Serafi , Suzan El Kholy , Karim Abdel Aziz |
Abstract: |
Background: There is marked interest to research neurocognitive functions in bipolar disorder during
euthymia. Consequently we aimed to study cognitive functions in euthymic bipolar patients and factors
affecting them.
Methods: It is a cross sectional case-control study of 60 euthymic bipolar patients and 30 matched
healthy controls. They were subjected to: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV disorders, (SCID-I) to
ascertain clinical diagnosis, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
(HRSD) to validate euthymia. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) for general intellectual abilities,
Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) for memory, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) for
executive functions, Continuous Performance Test (CPT) for attention and impulsivity, and an information
sheet gathering patient data.
Results: Bipolar patients had statistically significant lower mean IQ scores in all WAIS subscales (p¼
0.000), significantly lower memory abilities especially digit span and visual memory, higher impulsivity
and inattention (p¼0.000) but no significant difference in response time by CPT. They displayed
significantly lower executive performance on WCST. Patients’ years of education correlated positively
with IQ. Hospital admission, number, type of episodes and total number of episodes affected memory
functions. Hospital admission and number of hypomanic episodes correlated with attention and
impulsivity. Previous hospitalization correlated with executive functions.
Conclusions: Euthymic bipolar patients exhibit cognitive deficits, which correlated with clinical variables
as number, type of episodes and previous hospitalization, this knowledge could help minimize cognitive
impairments for future patients.
Limitations: The small sample size, cross sectional design and lack of premorbid cognitive assessment
limit generalization of findings.
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Journal: | 2014 Elsevier B.V. |
Text: | |
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