Objective: To evaluate the cognition level of institutionalized schizophrenic elderly patients and compare groups according to years of education, disease duration and institutionalization. Methods: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and questionnaires for the evaluation of the disease duration and level of education were carried out in the 38 female institutionalized elderly patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-IV criteria. Their medication use was assessed according to specific drug class and posology. Data was obtained from the patients' records and interview. The MMSE interviewers weren't aware of the patients' diagnoses, since all 38 patients were initially evaluated and only then the diagnostic procedures were performed. The mean and standard deviation were obtained for the whole group and their level of significance was determined by the t-test (0,05). Results: Mean age of subjects (n=38) was 69.42 ± 6.8 years old (min=60, max=82) and the mean disease duration was 40.36 ± 5.89 years (min=29, max-56). 18 patients were illiterate, 14 had 4 years of schooling and 6 had 4-8 years of education. The mean MMSE score was 12.15 ± 5.97 (min=0, max=28). Patients with more than 8 years of education (n=20) achieved a mean MMSE of 14.05 ± 5.97 (age = 70.15 ± 5.79 years old and disease duration = 40.36 ± 6.44 years), and illiterate patients (n=18, age = 68.61 ± 7.56, disease duration = 40.35 ± 5.20 years) achieved a MMSE score of 10.05 ± 5.22. Comparing MMSE scores of groups according to years of formal education, age, and disease duration the only statistically significant difference was observed in the number of years of education (p<0.05). Conclusion: Elderly institutionalized schizophrenic patients had higher MMSE scores and cognitive performance than those living in institutions in the U.S. and United Kingdom as reported by the literature. Years of formal education have a positive influence on cognitive performance, ie., illiterate people have a poorer performance than patients who had low-to-intermediate level of education. Despite the long duration of the disorder, MMSE scores show moderate degree of impairment. These data may help to develop adaptive care for this population.
Elderly; Schizophrenia; Cognition
