BACKGROUND: Being born or living in urban areas is associated with high rates of schizophrenia. However, few studies have compared the incidence in urban/rural areas using the same methodology. AIMS: To compare service-based incidence rates for schizophrenia in rural Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland with urban Camberwell in south-east London. METHOD: Using Research Diagnostic Criteria diagnoses from the OPCRIT computer algorithm, we compared the incidence of schizophrenia over 12 years (1979-1984 and 1992-1997) using indirect standardisation techniques and Poisson regression modelling. RESULTS: The incidence was 61% higher in urban Camberwell than in rural Dumfries and Galloway (standardised incidence ratio (SIR)=1.61; 95% CI=1.42-1.81). There was no difference in incidence when we compared the White population in Camberwell with Dumfries and Galloway (SIR=1.12; 95% CI=0.86-1.43). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of schizophrenia in urban Camberwell was higher than that in rural Dumfries and Galloway; the high incidence of non-Whites in Camberwell largely explains the urban/rural difference.
BACKGROUND: Being born or living in urban areas is associated with high rates of schizophrenia. However, few studies have compared the incidence in urban/rural areas using the same methodology. AIMS: To compare service-based incidence rates for schizophrenia in rural Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland with urban Camberwell in south-east London. METHOD: Using Research Diagnostic Criteria diagnoses from the OPCRIT computer algorithm, we compared the incidence of schizophrenia over 12 years (1979-1984 and 1992-1997) using indirect standardisation techniques and Poisson regression modelling. RESULTS: The incidence was 61% higher in urban Camberwell than in rural Dumfries and Galloway (standardised incidence ratio (SIR)=1.61; 95% CI=1.42-1.81). There was no difference in incidence when we compared the White population in Camberwell with Dumfries and Galloway (SIR=1.12; 95% CI=0.86-1.43). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of schizophrenia in urban Camberwell was higher than that in rural Dumfries and Galloway; the high incidence of non-Whites in Camberwell largely explains the urban/rural difference.
Authors: Helen Krstev; Steve Carbone; Susy M Harrigan; Christina Curry; Kathryn Elkins; Patrick D McGorry Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Evangelos Vassos; Carsten B Pedersen; Robin M Murray; David A Collier; Cathryn M Lewis Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2012-09-26 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Philip J Brittain; Daniel Stahl; James Rucker; Jamie Kawadler; Gunter Schumann Journal: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res Date: 2013-05-09 Impact factor: 4.035