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Influence of diagnostic classification on gender ratio in schizophrenia

A meta-analysis of youths hospitalized for psychosis

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Abstract

Background

The research literature on hospital admissions for psychoses in youths was reviewed in order to test whether there was a gender ratio discrepancy in diagnostic subgroups; the effect of the diagnostic criteria classification on this measure was also investigated.

Method

A meta-analysis was conducted on 12 primary studies by assessing the male/female odds ratio (OR) in the schizophrenia and mood disorders with psychosis subgroups as well as the amount of variability between studies. Study inclusion criteria were: patients between the ages of 8 and 19, at least 15 patients with psychosis and a standardized diagnostic criteria classification system such as DSM, ICD or RDC.

Results

The male/female OR measured in this meta-analysis implies that a male subject with psychosis is 1.7 times as likely to obtain a diagnosis of schizophrenia; conversely, a female subject with psychosis is 2.1 times as likely to be assigned in the mood disorders with psychosis subgroup. Disparity in diagnostic criteria nomenclature (ICD-9 vs. DSM) could account for a statistically significant difference in male/female OR for the schizophrenia subgroup in a subset of 11 studies.

Conclusions

Under the narrower definition of schizophrenia in studies using DSM diagnostic criteria classification, the shift towards a greater proportion of patients diagnosed with mood disorders with psychosis could be explained by the time criteria; the simultaneous emergence of the gender ratio difference is discussed. This study shows that subtle changes in diagnostic criteria in psychiatric illnesses can greatly influence observational data pertaining to youths.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Collège de l’Outaouais, 333 boul. Cité des Jeunes, Gatineau (QC), Canada J8Y 6M5

    Guy Beauchamp PhD

  2. Centre Hospitalier Pierre-Janet, Gatineau (QC), Canada

    André Gagnon MD

Authors
  1. Guy Beauchamp PhD
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  2. André Gagnon MD
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Correspondence to Guy Beauchamp PhD.

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Beauchamp, G., Gagnon, A. Influence of diagnostic classification on gender ratio in schizophrenia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39, 1017–1022 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0844-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0844-3

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