Trastorno del lenguaje y vocabulario receptivo en pacientes con esquizofrenia de edad avanzada

Objective

To study the characteristics of language and receptive vocabulary in 50 patients suffering from schizophrenia and 5 suffering from schizoaffective disorder, all with chronic evolution.

Method

A descriptive, correlational, and explanatory design with a quantitative data collection method was used, applying the Thought, Language and Communication (TLC) scale and the Peabody Test.

Results

The participants have a mean age of 61.47 years (σ = 8.00), they have been in the centre for an average of 19.47 years (σ = 10.29). Two dimensions of thought disorder are assessed with the TLC: hypoproductivity and verbal disengagement. Disconnectedness correlates positively with the Peabody and years of entry, whereas verbal underproduction correlates with years of entry and age. The Peabody correlates with the degree of education, and with years of entry, and TLC disconnection.

Conclusions

Participants present language impairment, particularly poor speech and verbal disconnection with scores ranging from mild to moderate. The more educated patients have a better understanding of vocabulary. Verbal underproduction is higher with older age and more years of admission. Disconnection is higher in patients with more years of admission. They present greater difficulties in understanding vocabulary as the years of admission increase, and when they have more difficulties in disconnection.