Prevalence and course of schizophrenia in a Chinese rural area.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the characteristics and factors affecting course of schizophrenia in a Chinese rural area.


METHODS
An epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify all the patients with schizophrenia among 149 231 people in Xinjin County, Chengdu.


RESULTS
The total prevalence of schizophrenia was 4.13 per 1000 population. Males had an earlier mean age of onset (29.6 years) than females (32.3 years). Duration of illness before treatment and the total duration of illness were found to be significantly associated with level of remission. The status of treatment, family economy, housing, and families' care of patients had a significant effect on the clinical course of the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Duration of illness before treatment may be an important predictor of course in schizophrenia. Early treatment for the patients may produce higher level of improvement in prognosis. Education intervention and community-based service are urgent priorities for these patients.
Ran
Mao-Sheng
MS
Institute of Mental Health, West China Hospital, West China Medical School of Sichuan University, Chengdu. ranmaosh@yahoo.com
Xiang
Meng-Ze
MZ
Li
Sheng-Xian
SX
Shan
You-He
YH
Huang
Ming-Sheng
MS
Li
Si-Gan
SG
Liu
Zhong-Ren
ZR
Chen
Eric Yu-Hai
EY
Chan
Cecilia Lai-Wan
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome