Regional differences in schizophrenia incidence in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the regional distribution of schizophrenia incidence in Denmark.


METHODS
A cohort consisting of 2441 Danish psychiatric patients, with first-time admissions between January 1, 1978 and December 31, 1982, and diagnosed as having schizophrenia (ICD-8) at least once in a 10-year period of observation was divided into three regional groups by degree of urbanization.


RESULTS
Incidence increased for both sexes with increasing urbanization. A diagnostic delay was most pronounced in the least urbanized areas and was most pronounced for women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the existence of regional differences in schizophrenia incidence on a national basis. Marked regional differences in diagnostic delay were also demonstrated. A possible explanation could be regional differences in diagnostic procedures, underlining the importance of uniform diagnostic patterns as a means for reliable mapping of psychiatric morbidity and, hopefully, adequate treatment.
Schelin
E M
EM
Department of Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Munk-Jørgensen
P
P
Olesen
A V
AV
Gerlach
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data