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Age at onset and outcome in schizophrenia are related to the degree of familial loading

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Jaana M. Suvisaari ,
Jari Haukka ,
Antti Tanskanen  and
Jouko K. Lönnqvist
Jaana M. Suvisaari*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Jari Haukka
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Antti Tanskanen
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Jouko K. Lönnqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
*
Dr Jaana Suvisaari, Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, FIN-00300 Helsinki, Finland. Fax: 358-9-47448478; e-mail: jaana.suvisaari@ktl.fi
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Abstract

Background

Recent research suggests that high familial loading is associated with early onset of schizophrenia. Results concerning outcome have been controversial.

Method

We assessed the relationship between familial loading, age at onset and outcome in all Finnish patients with schizophrenia born between 1950 and 1969. Patients and their first-degree relatives were identified using nationwide registers. Familial loading scores were calculated for schizophrenia and for combined psychotic disorders, and patients were accordingly classified into three groups: high (n = 761), intermediate (n = 14 247), and low familial loading (n = 725). Linear mixed models and the Cox proportional hazard model were used in the analyses.

Results

Onset was earliest, hospitalisation longest and risk of retirement in receipt of a disability pension highest in the group with high familial loading, with opposite extremes found in the group with low familial loading.

Conclusions

High familial loading for schizophrenia is associated with early onset and poor outcome of schizophrenia.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 173 , Issue 6 , December 1998 , pp. 494 - 500
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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