A Comparative Study of Cognitive Functions and Quality of Life in Persons with Schizophrenia versus Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are chronic and debilitating psychiatric illnesses characterized by significant cognitive impairment and impaired Quality of Life (QoL). Though widely studied individually, comparative research in the Indian context is sparse. The aim and objective is to conduct a comparative analysis of cognitive functions and its relationship with Quality of Life in persons with Schizophrenia versus Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 60 clinically stable patients (30 SCZ and 30 OCD) aged 20–45 years at the Department of Psychiatry of tertiary care hospital in North-western Rajasthan. Cognitive function was assessed using PGI-BBD and Quality of Life using WHOQOL-BREF(Hindi). Results: Schizophrenia group showed significantly greater cognitive impairment across recent and remote memory, verbal comprehension and arithmetic abilities compared to OCD group. QoL scores were significantly lower in SCZ group across all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF (Hindi). Cognitive dysfunction significantly correlated with QoL in both study groups. Conclusion: Cognitive dysfunction was more pronounced in schizophrenia group, leading to poorer QoL outcomes.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Cognitive Functions, Quality of Life, PGI-BBD.