anxiety sensitivity in schizophrenia and its impact on quality of life

Objective: In clinical studies, it has been shown that the frequency of anxiety disorders are frequently among with schizophrenia patients. It has been reported that anxiety symptoms cause impairment in functionality and decrease quality of life. In this study, susceptibility to anxiety was examined, it was aimed to determine anxiety sensitivity in patients with schizophrenia, to examine the relationship of behavioral inhibition system with anxiety and schizophrenia, and to show the effect of anxiety sensitivity on quality of life. Method: Among the patients who applied to the psychotic disorder unit of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 72 patients with schizophrenia and 72 healthy volunteers were included in the study. In addition to the sociodemographic data form what created by us, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 scales were applied to all groups. Results: In schizophrenia patients, all parameters and total scores of anxiety sensitivity (p<0.001) and Hamilton anxiety scale scores (p<0.001) were higher than the control group. There was a positive correlation between physical and cognitive sensitivity parts and Hamilton anxiety scale scores in both groups (p<0.005). Scores of the quality of life scales were lower among patient group (p<0.001). There was a negative significant correlation between quality of life scale and Hamilton anxiety scale and anxiety sensitivity scores (p<0.005). Behavioral inhibition system scale scores were similar between the groups (p=0.96), no significant correlation was found with the Hamilton anxiety scale (p<0.05). Conclusion: In our study, anxiety sensitivity was higher than control group among a schizophrenia patients. There is a similarity between the anxiety sensitivity index-3 scale and the Hamilton anxiety scales. As anxiety sensitivity increases in patients with schizophrenia, the quality of life decreases.Any releation could not established between schizophrenia, anxiety and the behavioral inhibition system. We need to much more studies about our subject.