Korean J Schizophr Res.  2024 Oct;27(2):72-77. 10.16946/kjsr.2024.27.2.72.

Gender Differences in Cognitive Function of Schizophrenia Patients

• Park K
• Choi MR
• Shin YE
• Han MI

• KMID: 2560357
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16946/kjsr.2024.27.2.72

Abstract

Objectives
Cognitive impairment is a fundamental symptom of schizophrenia, an often-overlooked aspect of the disorder that has gained recent attention due to its direct relation with functional outcomes and implications for medical and social costs. This study aims to investigate gender differences in cognitive function among patients with schizophrenia using Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (K-WAIS-IV).
Methods
Data were collected from inpatients and outpatients treated at Presbyterian Medical Center between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia underwent evaluation with the K-WAIS-IV. Multivariate analysis of variance was utilized to assess cognitive differences between men and women participants, while correlation analysis was performed to explore associations between cognitive performance and clinical data.
Results
Among 101 candidates, 26 male and 26 female patients were selected for analysis of their K-WAIS-IV scores and clinical data. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in cognitive function between male and female patients concerning Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and the four index scores: Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), Working Memory Index (WMI), and Processing Speed Index (PSI). A trend indicating preserved verbal intelligence relative to performance intelligence was observed. Additionally, the VCI exhibited a positive correlation with age, while both FSIQ and PSI demonstrated positive correlations with years of education.
Conclusion
The findings of this investigation suggest that there are no significant differences in cognitive function between male and female patients with schizophrenia via K-WAIS-IV. Given the heterogeneity of the sample and potential limitations of the neurocognitive assessments employed, further research utilizing more targeted methodologies and sensitive measures is warranted.

Keyword

Cognition; Cognitive impairment; Gender difference; Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV; Schizophrenia; 성별 차이; 인지; 인지기능; 조현병; 한국판 웩슬러 성인용 지능검사 4판

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Group performance on Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV cognitive subtest scaled scores.

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  Fig. 2. Group performance on Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV cognitive index scores. FSIQ, Full Scale IQ; VCI, Verbal Comprehension Index; PRI, Perceptual Reasoning Index; WMI, Working Memory Index; PSI, Processing Speed Index.

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