Fitzwarren Street, Langworthy Credit: Gene Hunt from Flickr
A new Cambridge-led study has examined the past 60 years of incidence data on psychotic disorders in England in the hope that the data can reveal clues about the possible social factors which appear to underpin such conditions. Our review confirms that the social environment is an important determinant of risk for psychotic disorders; genetic factors are not the sole causes and, where important, must often operate in conjunction with the environment." - —Dr James Kirkbride The systematic review published in PLoS One , which was conducted by the Department of Psychiatry EpiCentre at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry, KCL, examined incidence rates of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in England between 1950-2009. James Kirkbride, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, explains: "Our review confirms that the social environment is an important determinant of risk for psychotic disorders; genetic factors are not the sole causes and, where important, must often operate in conjunction with the environment." By analyzing the results of all relevant studies available since 1950, the research team showed that urban settings tended to experience higher rates of some psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The study also confirmed that rates of psychotic disorder were elevated in several migrant groups and their offspring in England. The findings mark an important step in being able to anticipate how the risk of psychotic disorders varies according to sociodemographic factors and characteristics of the social environment, so that appropriate healthcare can be provided.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
