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Young males have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia: a Danish register study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2007

ANNE THORUP
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, Denmark
BERIT LINDUM WALTOFT
Affiliation:
National Centre for Register-based Research, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark
CARSTEN B. PEDERSEN
Affiliation:
National Centre for Register-based Research, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark
PREBEN B. MORTENSEN
Affiliation:
National Centre for Register-based Research, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark
MERETE NORDENTOFT
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

Abstract

Background. Gender differences are commonly reported in schizophrenia research, especially with regard to age at onset. Few studies have reported the age- and gender-specific incidence of schizophrenia in people aged up to 71 years, and no studies have reported the cumulative incidence of schizophrenia in people aged up to 71 years.

Method. Two cohorts were established by linking data from the Danish Civil Registration System (DCRS) with data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Register (DPCR), which covers all incident cases of schizophrenia from 15 to 71 years. We estimated the gender- and age-specific incidence rates of schizophrenia for people aged up to 71 years. We also estimated the cumulative incidences.

Results. The incidence rates for males significantly exceeded those for females in the age range from 17 to 40 years. By their 72nd birthday, 1·59% of males and 1·17% of females had developed schizophrenia.

Conclusion. Male sex is a major risk factor for the development of schizophrenia.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2007 Cambridge University Press

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