Alison L Supina1, Scott B Patten. 1. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta. alsupina@ucalgary.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a plausible estimate of the prevalence of schizophrenia can be obtained with a self-report item in a health survey. METHODS: We estimated a self-reported prevalence of schizophrenia, using a grouped variable for all people who reported schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder in the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (n = 36,984). Estimates were stratified according to age, sex, and province of residence. RESULTS: Of survey respondents, 411 (1.1%) reported having schizophrenia or other psychosis, as diagnosed by a health professional; the weighted and adjusted estimate was 0.9% (0.7% to 1.0%). There was no statistical evidence that the prevalence estimates of schizophrenia and other psychosis varied by age, sex, or province of residence. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies incorporating a gold standard diagnostic interview should be carried out to determine the validity of the approach. However, responses to 2 self-report survey items provide what appears to be a plausible epidemiologic pattern.
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a plausible estimate of the prevalence of schizophrenia can be obtained with a self-report item in a health survey. METHODS: We estimated a self-reported prevalence of schizophrenia, using a grouped variable for all people who reported schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder in the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (n = 36,984). Estimates were stratified according to age, sex, and province of residence. RESULTS: Of survey respondents, 411 (1.1%) reported having schizophrenia or other psychosis, as diagnosed by a health professional; the weighted and adjusted estimate was 0.9% (0.7% to 1.0%). There was no statistical evidence that the prevalence estimates of schizophrenia and other psychosis varied by age, sex, or province of residence. CONCLUSIONS: Additional studies incorporating a gold standard diagnostic interview should be carried out to determine the validity of the approach. However, responses to 2 self-report survey items provide what appears to be a plausible epidemiologic pattern.
Authors: Ruth Ann Marrie; John D Fisk; Helen Tremlett; Christina Wolfson; Sharon Warren; Aruni Tennakoon; Stella Leung; Scott B Patten Journal: Neurology Date: 2015-10-30 Impact factor: 9.910