Remission, cognition and functioning in patients with schizophrenia: a systematic review

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by positive and negative symptoms, as well as cognitive deficits, with an impact on functioning. Objective: To investigate the relationship between symptomatic remission, cognition, and functioning patients with schizophrenia, based on the criteria of the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, and to examine whether achieving remission reflects functional recovery. Methods: The search was conducted in the United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) databases, covering observational studies published between 2014 and 2023, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: After screening, 23 studies were included. The results indicated that remission is associated with better cognitive performance — such as memory, attention, processing speed, and flexibility — and functional outcomes. Conclusion: These findings reinforce the importance of consistent criteria for comparisons across studies and clinical practice. Remission is a desired outcome for many patients. However, given the current treatment resources, it remains an objective that only a limited number truly achieve. Investigating its influence is essential for developing more effective interventions.