The relationship among insight, cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia and their relatives' perception

Medically, insight is a multidimensional concept. Results of previous studies are inconclusive regarding the relationship between insight and global and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among insight, patients' global function, cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia and their key caregivers' perception about this disorder. Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia were recruited. Cognitive function such as memory index proved to be a significant predictor for patients' insight; environmental factors such as caregivers' perception was not. In addition to cognitive deficit, whether the other factors such as genetic variability, medication use, environmental factors, and illness severity, etc., could influence insight of patients will still be a controversial issue. Further multidimensional survey of the relationship with insight in a larger and comprehensive design is necessary.