Disability Patterns in Schizophrenia: Exploring Gender-Specific Variations

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder associated with significant disability. Gender differences in clinical presentation and disability patterns remain complex and understudied, especially in the Indian context.

Aim: To explore gender-specific variations in disability patterns among patients with schizophrenia and assess the correlation between psychopathology and disability.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 70 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (35 males, 35 females) using ICD-10 criteria. Psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and disability was measured by the Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale (IDEAS). Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected.

Results: Males showed significantly higher negative symptom scores than females (p=0.001), while positive symptoms and general psychopathology did not differ significantly by gender. Females exhibited significantly greater disability in interpersonal activities and communication and understanding domains of IDEAS (p<0.01), and had higher global disability scores (p=0.035). Psychopathology and disability showed a strong positive correlation in both genders. Clinical variables such as duration of untreated illness and number of admissions correlated with symptom severity and disability primarily in males.

Conclusion: Disability patterns in schizophrenia demonstrate meaningful gender-specific variations, with males exhibiting more negative symptoms and females showing greater psychosocial disability. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive approaches in clinical management and rehabilitation.