Autistic features and executive functions in first episode psychosis: Associations with functionality and quality of life.

Researchers studied 60 people experiencing their first episode of psychosis to understand how autism-like traits affect thinking skills and daily functioning. They found that men and people with family history of mental illness showed more autism-like features. Higher autism-like traits were linked to poorer thinking skills and daily functioning, but not quality of life. The study suggests that autism-like features may be important to consider when supporting people with psychosis.

This cross-sectional study examined 60 individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis to investigate relationships between autistic features, executive functions, functionality, and quality of life. Using standardized assessment tools including the PANSS Autism Severity Score, researchers found that autistic symptom severity was higher in males and those with family history of psychotic disorders, while being inversely related to education duration. Key findings revealed inverse relationships between autistic symptom severity and both executive functions and personal/social functioning. Negative symptom severity predicted executive dysfunction and poor functionality.

Notably, no significant correlation was found between autistic symptoms and quality of life measures, and autistic versus psychotic domains showed similar relationships with executive functions.

Assessment of autistic features in first episode psychosis may help identify individuals at risk for greater functional impairment and executive dysfunction. Gender and family history should be considered as risk factors. Targeted interventions addressing both psychotic and autistic symptoms may improve functional outcomes.

Cross-sectional design prevents determination of causality. Small sample size (n=60) limits generalizability. Single-site study may not represent broader populations. Authors acknowledge need for longitudinal studies with larger samples to establish directional relationships.

The present study aimed at investigating the relationships between autistic features and cognitive deficits, functionality and quality of life in first episode psychosis (FEP) patients. Sixty FEP patients [mean age (SD) = 32.53 (10.74), n = 23 female, n = 37 male] were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a sociodemographic and clinical data form, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS), the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form in Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF TR). Autistic symptom severity was found to be higher in males than females, and higher in patients with a family history of psychotic disorder.

An inverse relationship was found between the duration of education and the severity of autistic symptoms. While there was an inverse relationship between autistic symptom severity and executive functions and functionality, no significant correlation was found with quality of life. Negative symptom severity was a predictor of executive functions and functionality. No significant difference was observed between autistic and psychotic domains which were related to executive functions.

Our study is the first to examine the relationship between autistic/psychotic symptoms and executive functions and functionality in patients with FEP. The results show that autistic symptoms are associated with worse social and personal functioning and worse executive functions in patients with FEP. Longitudinal follow-up studies with larger samples are required to determine the direction of the relations.