Sex differences effect on cognitive impairment and relationships between cognitive functioning and psychopathological symptoms in patients with paranoid schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Despite the decades of studying cognition in schizophrenia the existing data are rather inconsistent. Patients' sex may be an essential factor of cognitive functioning. The aim of the study was to investigate sex differences in cognition and its correlations with symptomatology in patients with paranoid schizophrenia. Subjects and methods: 101 patients (79 males, 22 females) were assessed with Benton test, WCST, Tower of London Test, CAT, Stroop test and several memory, attention and psycho-motor coordination subtests from WAIS and WMS. PANSS was used for measurement of psychopathological symptoms. Results: There were no differences in cognitive functions between groups with the exception of males’ advantage in executive functioning. The inner structure of cognitive processes in females is more diffused and less structured than in males. Gender differences were also revealed in correlation between cognitive processes and psychopathological symptoms. Psychopathological symptoms correlate with executive functioning in females, and with memory and attention impairment and lowering of psychomotor speed in males. Only in males psychopathological symptoms were associated with involvement, cooperation and efforts during the testing. Conclusion: The factor of sex in patients suffering paranoid schizophrenia is important and needs to be taken into account when studying cognitive impairment with clinical symptoms.