Self-Assessment of Impulsivity in Patients with Paranoid Schizophrenia in Exacerbation and Remission

Abstract

Background: impaired impulse control is thought to be an important hallmark of schizophrenia, which is closely related to the dysfunction of many of the neurophysiological systems of the central nervous system characteristic of the disease. The presence of increased impulsivity requires special attention in view of the risks associated with it, both for the patients themselves and for society. Aim of the study: to assess the presence of signs of a significant level of impulsivity in self-reporting on the Barratt scale in patients with paranoid schizophrenia in a state of exacerbation and remission. Patients and Methods: the study included two groups of patients suffering from paranoid schizophrenia both in a state of sustained remission with residual psychotic symptoms and patients in a state of exacerbation. Control group: consisted of healthy subjects. To assess impulsivity, the Barratt scale, adapted to the Russian population, was used. Results: it turned out that in both groups of patients, increased impulsivity was detected in half of the cases (54% and 46%, respectively). In the control group, only 22% had such cases. There were no differences between the groups of patients. When analyzing the ratio of indicators on different subscales of the Barratt scale, no differences were found both between the groups and in comparison, with the control group. Conclusion: the results of the study suggest that impulsivity as an element of the clinical picture, which is found in the patient’s self-report, may be an informative sign that should be taken into account when forming a psychopharmacological treatment regimen and rehabilitation programs. The Barratt scale can be used in patients with schizophrenia in everyday practice.