The comparison of cognitive deficits between patients with bipolar disorder type I with schizophrenic patients

The purpose of this study was to compare cognitive deficits in patients with bipolar disorder type I with schizophrenic patients. The samples were comprised of 30 male patients with bipolar disorder type I and 30 male patients with schizophrenia (these disorders were diagnosed by a psychiatrist) after they had reached stability level and showed a decreased in their signs. This sample was chosen from the inpatients who were accessible from three hospitals (Razi, Azadi, and Saadat Abad) in Tehran, Iran. Two groups were matched in age, education, marital status, in terms of time of the onset of the disorder and time of hospitalization. In addition, they were examined by Cognistat, a Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE; Kiernan & Mueller, 1985-1987) which assesses five major cognitive ability areas: language, memory, construction, calculation and reasoning. Data were analyzed by use of independent T-test and results showed that there were significant differences between the cognitive functions of schizophrenic and bipolar disorder type I patients in: orientation, attention, comprehension, repetition, naming, calculation, similarities, judgment. There were no significant differences between the two groups in memory and construction (P<0/05). It can be concluded that schizophrenic patients have poorer cognitive function than patients with bipolar disorder type I. This deficit is seen in orientation, attention, comprehension, repetition, naming, calculation, similarities and judgment.