Self-reported diagnoses of schizophrenia and psychotic disorders may be valuable for monitoring and surveillance.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether a plausible estimate of the prevalence of schizophrenia can be obtained with a self-report item in a health survey.


METHODS
We estimated a self-reported prevalence of schizophrenia, using a grouped variable for all people who reported schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder in the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (n = 36,984). Estimates were stratified according to age, sex, and province of residence.


RESULTS
Of survey respondents, 411 (1.1%) reported having schizophrenia or other psychosis, as diagnosed by a health professional; the weighted and adjusted estimate was 0.9% (0.7% to 1.0%). There was no statistical evidence that the prevalence estimates of schizophrenia and other psychosis varied by age, sex, or province of residence.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional studies incorporating a gold standard diagnostic interview should be carried out to determine the validity of the approach. However, responses to 2 self-report survey items provide what appears to be a plausible epidemiologic pattern.
Supina
Alison L
AL
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta. alsupina@ucalgary.ca
Patten
Scott B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires