Schizophrenia Research
Volume 49, Issue 3 , Pages 295-299, 30 April 2001

Risk factors and confounders in the geographical clustering of schizophrenia

  • E.Fuller Torrey

      Affiliations

    • Stanley Foundation Research Programs, Bethesda, MD, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Present address: 5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Tel.: +1-301-571-2078; fax: +1-301-571-0775
    • ,
  • Preben Bo Mortensen

      Affiliations

    • Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatric Demography, Aarhus, Denmark
    • ,
  • Carsten B. Pedersen

      Affiliations

    • Danish Epidemiology Science Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • ,
  • Jan Wohlfahrt

      Affiliations

    • Danish Epidemiology Science Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • ,
  • Mads Melbye

      Affiliations

    • Danish Epidemiology Science Center, Copenhagen, Denmark

Received 27 January 2000; accepted 17 April 2000.

Abstract 

In response to previous reports of geographical clustering of individuals with psychosis, a study was carried out in Denmark utilizing the national case register. Two-thousand one-hundred and ninety-nine (2199) individuals with schizophrenia were divided by place of birth into 217 geographical areas and analyzed by age, gender, month of birth, genetic relatedness, and degree of urbanization of birthplace. Heterogeneity was ascertained using log-linear Poisson regression. The greatest amount of heterogeneity was associated with degree of urbanization of place of birth. Heterogeneity was also associated with age–gender interaction and calendar period. When adjusted for these factors, there was no remaining heterogeneity, suggesting that all geographical clustering in our study was explained by the above factors.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Geographical clusters, Schizophrenia, Urbanicity

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PII: S0920-9964(00)00081-5

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 49, Issue 3 , Pages 295-299, 30 April 2001

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