Hospital-treated psychosis and suicide in a rural community (1877-2005). Part 1: Incidence rates.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the incidence rates of hospital-treated psychosis and suicide in historical cohorts of a small rural community in southeast Norway, and to compare the local findings with the national ones.


METHODS
We have carried out a longitudinal epidemiological study, reviewing the patient records at the mental hospitals of people born in the rural community after 1845. Based on these records, we have constructed a local register of psychosis and suicide in this population. The local incidence rates of psychosis and suicide have been compared with the national ones.


RESULTS
The overall local incidence rates of psychosis and suicide were similar to the national ones. The local rates of schizophrenia dropped considerably after World War II.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall local incidence rates of psychosis and suicide seem to be representative for the country at large despite frequent endogamy. The recent drop in the incidence rate of schizophrenia seems to be in agreement with several international studies.
Andersen
J E
JE
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Tynset, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Tynset, Norway.
Hynnekleiv
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*