Gender differences in schizophrenia. Results of a follow-up study from India.

As part of the study on 'Factors affecting the course and outcome of schizophrenia' at Madras, India, 96 schizophrenic patients who fulfilled Feighner's criteria were followed up closely. Of these, 67 patients who completed 5 years of follow-up were studied with respect to gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical variables at inclusion and follow-up, course of illness and outcome. Women were found to have a better outcome. The various factors contributing to this are discussed in the context of the Indian setting.