The interrelationship between schizotypy, clinical high risk for psychosis and related symptoms: cognitive disturbances matter.
Poster B86, Tuesday, October%209, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Rahel Flückiger1, Stephan Ruhrmann2, Chantal Michel1,3, Daniela Hubl4, Benno G. Schimmelmann1,5, Joachim Klosterkötter2, Stefanie J. Schmidt1, Frauke Schultze-Lutter1,6; 1University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, 3Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, 4University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, 5University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 6Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf
Schizotypy and clinical high risk (CHR) criteria can identify individuals who are at increased risk for developing psychosis in community and patient samples. However, both approaches have rarely been combined, and little is known about their associations. Therefore, we examined the factorial structure of CHR and related symptoms and schizotypy features as well as their interrelationship. In a sample of 277 patients (22 ± 6 years) from two early detection services, structural equation modelling including confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test a theory-driven model using four Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales, 14 predictive basic symptoms (BS) of the Schizophrenia Proneness Instrument, and positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms from the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes. The data fit well to the six hypothesized latent factors consisting of negative schizotypy, positive schizotypy including perceptual BS, negative symptoms, positive symptoms, disorganized symptoms and cognitive disturbances. As postulated, schizotypy features were significantly associated with positive, negative and disorganized symptoms through cognitive disturbances. Additionally, positive and negative schizotypy also had a direct association with the respective symptom-domain. The identified factorial structure corresponds well to dimensional models of schizotypy and psychoses. Our model suggests that schizotypy features may be associated with symptoms in the other dimensions directly or indirectly via subjective cognitive disturbances. These results call for more consideration of subjective cognitive deficits in combination with schizotypy features during the early detection and intervention of psychoses.
Topic Area: Ultra High Risk / Prodromal Research