Comparative Study of Cognitive Impairments in Psychiatric Inpatients Using the PGI-Battery of Brain Dysfunction

Abstract Background: Cognitive deficits are central to many psychiatric disorders and contribute significantly to functional impairment. Objective tools such as the PGI Battery of Brain Dysfunction (PGI-BBD) enable quantification of these deficits in Indian populations. While cognitive impairment is well documented in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) and Schizophrenia, evidence across other psychiatric disorders in Indian settings remains limited. This study compared cognitive deficits across major diagnostic groups using the PGI-BBD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary-care Armed Forces hospital among 200 male inpatients diagnosed with ADS, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD), or Schizophrenia. Participants were assessed during clinically stable phases after informed consent. Cognitive functioning was evaluated using PGI-BBD. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests (SPSS v20.0). Results: Cognitive deficits were observed across all groups. ADS showed impairments in remote memory, visual retention/recognition, verbal and performance quotients, and perceptuo-motor function. Anxiety disorders demonstrated deficits in attention, concentration, and verbal memory. Depressive disorders showed impairments in attention, recall, verbal memory, comprehension, and perceptuo-motor function. BPAD showed deficits in attention, concentration, and visual memory. Schizophrenia demonstrated impairments in verbal and visual memory and performance tasks. Conclusion: Cognitive impairments persist across major psychiatric disorders even during remission. In military populations, these deficits may adversely affect occupational functioning, underscoring the importance of incorporating cognitive remediation into psychiatric rehabilitation.