14 of 28 (50%) of patients receiving the full battery were found to be reading at below 8th grade reading level vs. only one control (χ2=9.45, df=1, p=.002). Eight of the 28 (29%) were reading at 5th grade level, which represents the lower cutoff of the test.
The ability to read is one of the most basic necessities for personal and occupational success in developed countries. For some individuals, learning to read may be difficult. However, for the vast majority of individuals, once these skills are developed they are retained for life. The present study demonstrates that such a situation may not be true in schizophrenia.