title: [Schizophrenia--incidence and significance].
abstract: The human suffering associated with schizophrenia is enormous--for patients, families, and in society at large. 10% of all disabled citizens in Norway have schizophrenia, although the yearly incidence is low (about 7-15 per 100,000). This variance in incidence is found in most countries. There is an increased risk for schizophrenia among the urban born compared with those born in rural areas, a declining incidence over time, and increased risk in offspring of migrants. In Norway, the total cost per year for schizophrenia is estimated at 4 billion NOK (1995). In western countries costs are estimated to exceed 1% of the national budget. There is no other disorder with comparable costs. Schizophrenia alone costs more than all types of cancer and more than all cardiovascular diseases. There are reasons to believe that not all patients with schizophrenia are given treatment that is in accordance with good clinical practice. The time lag from on set of manifest psychosis and to appropriate treatment is often long--in most western countries up to 2-3 years. Early detection and treatment of schizophrenia is an important challenge.
authors.affiliation: Rogaland psykiatriske sjukehus Armauer Hansens vei 20 4011 Stavanger. jojo@sir.no
authors.forename: Jan Olav
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Johannessen
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D014943:Global Health; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy