Relationship between Insight and Manic Symptoms in Stable Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia

Lee, Eui Seok; Hong, Narei; Jung, Myung Hun; Hong, Hyun Joo; Jon, Duk In

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Patient insight is a very important factor in the management of schizophrenia. Manic symptoms can occasionally be identified by the patient, even in cases of schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship among patient insight, the psychotic and manic symptoms, and the demographic clinical variables.
METHODS
Seventy-four participants (male 44, female 30) with chronic schizophrenia in community mental health facilities were evaluated according to the Korean version of the Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD-K), the Korean version of Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-MDQ), and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).
RESULTS
The mean number of previous admissions was 3.85. The mean CGI-S score was 3.8 and a significant negative correlation (r=0.26) was shown with "awareness of mental disorder". Thirty-five percent of subjects were K-MDQ positive (cutoff point=7 or more). Among the SUMD-K, "awareness of effect of medication" showed a significant negative correlation (r=âˆ’0.33) with the total K-MDQ score, but not with the total BPRS score. The negative correlation was more obvious in participants with negative K-MDQ (total K-MDQ score 6 or less, r=âˆ’0.31).
CONCLUSION
A possible relationship was observed between these manic symptoms and patient insight. Identification of manic symptoms in schizophrenia would be considerable in a clinical setting.