The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude

Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine the association between latitude and the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia based on two recently published systematic reviews. Method:  The analyses were based on 353 incidence rates (from 68 studies) and 258 prevalence estimates (from 94 stud...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 2006-07, Vol.114 (1), p.36-39
Main Authors: Saha, S., Chant, D.C., Welham, J.L., McGrath, J.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demographics
demography
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Medical sciences
prevalence
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - epidemiology
Sex Factors
Statistics as Topic
Topography, Medical - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine the association between latitude and the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia based on two recently published systematic reviews. Method:  The analyses were based on 353 incidence rates (from 68 studies) and 258 prevalence estimates (from 94 studies). Exact latitude values were used for cities, and geocentroid values for other sites. Based on three equal latitude bands, we compared the frequency measures of schizophrenia for persons, males and females when adjusted for within‐study variation. Results:  Prevalence estimates from sites in the high‐latitude band were significantly higher when compared with lower bands for persons, males and females. Incidence rates were positively associated with absolute latitude for males, but neither for females nor persons. Conclusion:  Variables that have latitude gradients warrant closer inspection in schizophrenia epidemiology.
ISSN:0001-690X
1600-0447
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00742.x