Executive dysfunctions in borderline personality disorder: correlation with suicidality and impulsivity. Issue 2 (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghanem, Mohamed; El-Serafi, Doha; Sabry, Walaa; ElRasheed, Amany Haroun; Abdel Razek, Ghada; Soliman, Alaa; Amar, Wafaa
• Is Part Of: Middle East current psychiatry. Volume 23:Issue 2(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: borderline personality disorder -- executive function -- impulsivity -- suicidality; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1097/01.XME.0000481457.55394.66
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5408

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Executive dysfunctions may aggravate the chronicity, risk, and burden of different psychiatric disorders. Studies focusing on executive functioning in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have shown divergent results. Moreover, little attention has been paid to the potential association of executive function deficits with the patients' risk for suicidality and impulsivity. Aim: The current study aimed to examine the executive function profile of patients with BPD and to compare them with a group of age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls, and to investigate the association of executive dysfunction with suicidal and impulsivity risk among these patients. Patients and methods: The study included 19 female patients with BPD diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnostic criteria; they were compared on the basis of their executive functions and contrasted with 10 healthy controls on cognitive performance. Both groups were subjected to the following tests: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-II), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire, impulsivity subscale of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Global Assessment of Function scale. Results: The performance of the borderline patients was significantly impaired on executive function tasks when compared with healthy controls. These deficits indicate impairment in strategic planning, organized searching, directing behavior toward achieving a goal, and modulating impulsive response, which was consistent with the clinical symptoms of BPD. Results also showed correlation between executive function impairment and global patient functions and certain BPD symptoms like impulsivity. However, suicidal behavior in BPD patients was not found to be correlated with executive function deficits. Conclusion: BPD patients demonstrated impaired performance on the majority of executive function domains, which was associated with their impulsivity risk. These findings suggest the importance of early identification of individuals at risk for executive deficits. Ongoing research on the cognitive functions of BPD patients may contribute to a clearer conceptualization of their conflicted interpersonal relationships and life-threatening behaviors, which may eventually result in more targeted treatments for these patients.