Sensitivity and applicability of the Brazilian version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS)

Abstract

Cognitive assessment in schizophrenia has traditionally used batteries that are long and complex or differ widely in their content. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) has been developed to cover the main cognitive deficits of schizophrenia as well as to be easily and briefly administered, portable, sensitive and reliable.ObjectivesTo investigate the applicability and sensitivity of the Brazilian Version of the BACS (Brazilian-BACS).MethodsPerformance of 20 stable patients with schizophrenia on the Brazilian-BACS was compared to 20 matched healthy controls.ResultsApplying the Brazilian-BACS required 43.4±8.4minutes for patients and 40.5±5.7 minutes for controls (p=0.17). All tests demonstrated significant differences between controls and patients (P<0.01). Pearson’s correlation analysis and Cronbach’s a evidenced a high internal consistency for patient performance. The cognitive deficit in the patients was approximately 1.5 standard deviations below controls. These results were consistent with those reported in the validation of the original version and in meta-analyses of similar studies.ConclusionsThe Brazilian-BACS displayed good applicability and sensitivity in assessing the major cognitive constructs that are impaired in schizophrenia. Thus, the Brazilian-BACS seems to be a promising tool for assessing cognition in patients with schizophrenia in Brazil.

Validity and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the BACS (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia)

“…The first component also correlated significantly with each of the test constructs, suggesting that a one-factor solution best fits our data. The same solution was obtained in our pilot study of the BACS ( 12 ) and in studies of the Spanish and Persian versions ( 9 , 11 ), while the French version found a two-factor solution ( 6 ), and the original test in English and the Japanese version found a three-factor solution ( 3 , 7 ). This variance in the component analysis among these studies may be related to the differences in their samples ( 9 ).…”

“…The adaptation of the BACS to Brazilian Portuguese is described elsewhere ( 12 ). The constructs measured with the Brazilian version of the BACS, including the tests, procedures, and measures, are listed below in the order of administration.…”

“…We translated the BACS from English to Portuguese, and the back-translation was approved by the original author (RK). We also performed a preliminary assessment of the applicability and sensitivity of this Brazilian Portuguese version of the BACS in a small sample of patients ( 12 ). The aim of the present paper is to assess the validity and reliability of the BACS by examining its temporal stability, internal consistency, and discriminant and convergent validity.…”

Alterações cognitivas na esquizofrenia: atualização

“…Outras baterias foram desenvolvidas com o objetivo de ser breves e de fácil administração. Uma dessas baterias encontra-se validada no Brasil: a Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) 14 , que cobre a maioria dos défi cits cognitivos da esquizofrenia. Os domínios cognitivos avaliados são memória verbal, memória de trabalho, velocidade motora, atenção, solução de problemas e fl uência verbal.…”

Versão brasileira da Escala de Avaliação da Cognição em Esquizofrenia (SCoRS-Br): validação em contextos clínicos sem informantes

“…Em geral, são avaliações objetivas, extensas, destinadas ao emprego em situações de pesquisa. Mais recentemente, têm sido desenvolvidos testes específicos para a avaliação cognitiva de pacientes com esquizofrenia de aplicação mais simples e duração mais curta, por exemplo, a Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), já traduzida para o português e avaliada em nosso meio 10 . Entretanto, alguns autores questionam se os resultados desses testes objetivos seriam evidência suficiente para avaliação de melhora cognitiva em estudos clínicos 11 .…”