Abstract:Objective: To explore the relationship between cognitive impairment, negative symptoms and stigma in patients with deficit schizophrenia. Methods: There were 72 patients with stable schizophrenia who were collected in the study. Their cognitive function and stigma were measured with RBANS scale, Stroop test and Link series of stigma scales. Then they were divided into deficit group (29 cases) and non-deficit group (43 cases) according to the schedule for the deficit syndrome (SDS). Besides, 40 normal controls were recruited in the surrounding community, and their cognitive function was measured by RBANS scale and Stroop test. Results: The scores of all dimensions except education (P>0.05) in RBANS scale (P<0.05) and stigma scales (P<0.05) of patients with deficit schizophrenia were significantly higher than those of non-deficit schizophrenia patients. In Stroop test, the test time of deficit patients was significantly longer than that of non-deficit patients (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis of 72 schizophrenic patients showed that the absolute value of Spearman correlation coefficient between each dimension of RBANS and devaluation discrimination, withdrawal, coping, misunderstanding, difference/shame, emotional experience and total score of stigma was greater than 0.3, showing a negative correlation. The absolute value of Spearman correlation coefficient between color time and derogation discrimination/shame, emotional experience and total score of stigma in each dimension of Stroop test was greater than 0.3.That between word time and all dimensions except confidentiality, education, challenge, separation and response was greater than 0.3; that between color word time and all dimensions except confidentiality, education, challenge and separation was greater than 0.3, and between color word time word time and stigma was greater than 0.3 except for education and separation. These absolute values greater than 0.3 showed a positive correlation. The correlation analysis between SDS score and stigma showed that the Spearman correlation coefficients of all dimensions except education were greater than 0.3, showing a positive correlation. Conclusion: The cognitive impairment and stigma are more serious in the patients with deficit schizophrenia than in those with non-deficit schizophrenia. The results of correlation analysis suggest that there is a negative correlation between stigma and non-social cognitive impairment, and a moderate positive correlation with negative symptoms.
