[Evaluation of disease frequency in the first line relatives of patients suffering from schizophrenia related to gender and diagnostic categories].

INTRODUCTION

Schizophrenia represents the most severe mental disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of disease in the first line relatives of patients suffering from schizophrenia related to gender differences and various subtypes.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study included 453 subjects (121 patients suffering from schizophrenia - 52.1% males and 47.9% females and 332 first line relatives of the patients - 47.2% males and 52.7% females during a five year period, mostly in the region of Sarajevo.

RESULTS

According to the analysis of disease frequency related to the kinship, the disease developed more frequently in mothers (8.3%) and sisters (7.8%) than in fathers (6.9) and brothers (7.1%) of the patients suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. In the group of disorganized schizophrenia, only mothers were found (4.2%), whereas the statistical difference in the group of affected brothers and sisters was significant, the percentage being 9.7% and 15.3%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in gender (p < 0.05) between the group of parents and siblings regarding the frequency of schizophrenia.

DISCUSSION: The proof of participation of genetic factors in etiology supports the assumption on genetic nature of familial aggregation of schizophrenia. Our results completely match those of studies which analyzed the frequency of disease regarding inheritance (gender distribution and various subtypes).

CONCLUSION

Investigation points to the common epidemiological criteria regarding the frequency of schizophrenic psychosis. Genetic predisposition could be also a demonstrator of the disease course and outcome, which should enable better understanding of the etiology of this disease.