[Genetic factors study in family aggregation of schizophrenia in Santiago, Chile].
BACKGROUND
Genetic epidemiological studies indicate that genetic factors contribute to a familial aggregation of schizophrenia. The form of inheritance has not been elucidated but most studies have been done in Caucasian populations.


OBJECTIVE
To study the form of inheritance of schizophrenia in an urban population of Santiago, Chile, containing an admixture of Spanish origin individuals with Southamerican aborigines.


METHODS
Forty four randomly selected schizophrenic probands, 22 female, aged 28 to 48 years old, were studied. From them, an extensive genealogical reconstitution was performed. Probands and relatives were interviewed using the structured interview CIDI and DSM-III-R check-list. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria. Complex segregation analysis was done using Pointer program.


RESULTS
The hypothesis of a multifactorial inheritance, without the participation of major genes, could not be rejected. Likewise, the major dominant and co-dominant gene forms of transmission could not be rejected.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show the participation of a major dominant locus and a multifactorial component in the inheritance of schizophrenia, as has been reported elsewhere.
Ruiz
A
A
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.
Blanco
R
R
Arcos
M
M
Santander
J
J
San Martín
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D011336:Probability; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People