Impulsive behavior and its correlates among patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary care psychiatry setting in Mansoura

Background and objectives: Impulsive behavior has been repeatedly identified as a major problem in schizophrenia. Our objective was to examine the possible demographical and clinical correlates for impulsive behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with schizophrenia and Seventy-seven healthy controls were recruited. Sociodemographic data were collected and they were subjected to the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Positive and Negative Syndrome scale (PANSS), and Trauma Assessment for Adults-Brief Revised Version (TAA). Results: Correlations between impulsive behavior and psychosocial variables were examined. A significant association between level of impulsive behavior and severity of psychopathological symptoms was observed (P = 0.0001). Young age (P = 0.001), male patients (P = 0.0001) and those with history of childhood sexual or physical abuse (P = 0.0001), were more impulsive. Linear regression (step wise) analysis model showed that male sex (P = 0.001), positive symptoms (P = 0.006), and childhood physical abuse (P = 0.001) were significant associations. Conclusion: Male gender, positive symptoms as well as history of physical and sexual abuse before 18 years of age are important predictors for high levels of impulsive behavior in schizophrenia patients.