Incidence and Prevalence: Schizophrenia
Saha et al, 2005 report that their meta-analysis of studies from 1965-2002 found no significant difference in the prevalence of schizophrenia between men and women. This is especially curious given the same group's reporting of the male/female odds ratio for incidence at 1.40 in the previous year (McGrath et al, 2004). As incidence examines new cases and prevalence examines existing cases, this disparity may indicate some difference in the way men and women are affected by the disorder. In fact, Leung and Chue's 2000 review indicates that the course of schizophrenia is more severe in men. Saha et al predicted that this would lead to fewer recoveries, and therefore a higher prevalence in men. However, it is possible that this leads to higher mortality and a lower prevalence.
I was really sure I remembered sex differences in schizophrenia rates from class, but clearly I was wrong. Both of the intro textbooks I could lay my hands on agreed that men and women are about equally affected by schizophrenia (Davison et al, 2003; Bernstein et al, 1999). Sometimes I really need to check an intro book for the "best guess" because the primary articles are so busy trying to make their work look groundbreaking that I have no idea what the accepted model actually is.
Since most mental illness affects more women than men, it seems like a greater percentage of male patients than female patients would be getting treated for schizophrenia. Maybe I'm remembering that? Sadly, I'm probably just making the association because I've only met men (well, one man) who disclosed their schizophrenia diagnosis. I hate how little I can trust my memory. Stupid brain. *pokes it with a Q-tip*
I was really sure I remembered sex differences in schizophrenia rates from class, but clearly I was wrong. Both of the intro textbooks I could lay my hands on agreed that men and women are about equally affected by schizophrenia (Davison et al, 2003; Bernstein et al, 1999). Sometimes I really need to check an intro book for the "best guess" because the primary articles are so busy trying to make their work look groundbreaking that I have no idea what the accepted model actually is.
Since most mental illness affects more women than men, it seems like a greater percentage of male patients than female patients would be getting treated for schizophrenia. Maybe I'm remembering that? Sadly, I'm probably just making the association because I've only met men (well, one man) who disclosed their schizophrenia diagnosis. I hate how little I can trust my memory. Stupid brain. *pokes it with a Q-tip*