Psychological Medicine
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 37 / Issue 04 / April 2007, pp 485-494
- Copyright © 2007 Cambridge University Press
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291706009652 (About DOI), Published online: 04 January 2007
Risk of schizophrenia in second-generation immigrants: a Danish population-based cohort study
AbstractBackground. Urban birth, a risk factor for schizophrenia, is more frequent among second-generation immigrants. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the increased risk for schizophrenia found in second-generation immigrants is explained by the degree of urbanization of birthplace and/or factors related to parentage, such as geographic origin or history of residence abroad during upbringing. Method. Using data from the Danish Civil Registration System (CRS), we established a population-based cohort of 2·0 million Danes (persons born in Denmark). Schizophrenia in cohort members was identified by cross-linkage with the Danish Psychiatric Central Register. Results. The relative risk of developing schizophrenia was 1·93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·79–2·08] and 2·96 (95% CI 2·49–3·51) among persons with one or both parents foreign-born respectively compared to native Danes. Adjustment for urbanization of birthplace and parental characteristics reduced these risks slightly. However, urbanization had a lesser effect in second-generation immigrants than in Danes. History of residence abroad was a risk factor for schizophrenia, regardless of whether parents were foreign-born or native Danes. Conclusion. The increased risk found in second-generation immigrants cannot be explained by urbanization or parental characteristics pertaining to age, mental illness, geographic origin or residence abroad during a child's upbringing. Correspondence: c1 Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden S-205 02. (Email: elizabeth.cantor-graae@med.lu.se) |
