Prevalence and risk factors of psychotic symptoms: in the city of Izmir, Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Psychotic symptoms, psychotic-like experiences and schizotypal signs can emerge in different socio-cultural circumstances and cause clinical or non-clinical pictures. Transient or self-limiting psychotic-like experiences are more prevalent than clinical psychotic disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of psychotic symptoms in an urban area.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of two districts in the urban area of Izmir, Turkey. Among the systematically selected 1,500 residents of 85,212-study population, a total of 1,268 individuals (response rate: 84.5%) were screened for any lifetime psychotic symptoms.


RESULTS
Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess psychotic symptoms. CIDI (+) psychotic symptoms were found in 3.6% of the screened sample. Logistic regression analysis showed that being a female (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.2-5.1), having a first degree family history of any mental disorders (OR=13.9, 95% CI=5.7-34.3), lack of social support (OR=4.5, 95% CI=2.3-8.6) and alcohol use (OR=4.9, 95% CI=2.3-10.6) were all related to psychotic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of any psychotic symptom is lower compared to European studies. Alcohol might be considered as a risk factor for developing psychotic symptoms in the Turkish cultural setting.
Alptekin
Köksal
K
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, koksal.alptekin@deu.edu.tr.
Ulas
Halis
H
Akdede
Berna Binnur
BB
Tümüklü
Mevhibe
M
Akvardar
Yildiz
Y
D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*