Autistic features and executive functions in first episode psychosis: Associations with functionality and quality of life

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the relationships between autistic features and cognitive deficits, functionality and quality of life in first episode psychosis (FEP) patients.

Methods: Sixty FEP patients [mean age (SD) = 32.53 (10.74), n = 23 female, n = 37 male] were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a sociodemographic and clinical data form, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS), the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form in Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF TR).

Results: Autistic symptom severity was found to be higher in males than females, and higher in patients with a family history of psychotic disorder. An inverse relationship was found between the duration of education and the severity of autistic symptoms. While there was an inverse relationship between autistic symptom severity and executive functions and functionality, no significant correlation was found with quality of life. Negative symptom severity was a predictor of executive functions and functionality. No significant difference was observed between autistic and psychotic domains which were related to executive functions.

Conclusions: Our study is the first to examine the relationship between autistic/psychotic symptoms and executive functions and functionality in patients with FEP. The results show that autistic symptoms are associated with worse social and personal functioning and worse executive functions in patients with FEP. Longitudinal follow-up studies with larger samples are required to determine the direction of the relations.

Keywords: autism; cognitive; executive; functionality; psychosis.