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. 2004 Apr:184:293-8.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.184.4.293.

Urbanisation and incidence of psychosis and depression: follow-up study of 4.4 million women and men in Sweden

Kristina Sundquist  1 , Gölin Frank, Jan Sundquist
Affiliations

Urbanisation and incidence of psychosis and depression: follow-up study of 4.4 million women and men in Sweden

Kristina Sundquist et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2004 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies of differences in mental health between urban and rural populations are inconsistent.

Aims: To examine whether a high level of urbanisation is associated with increased incidence rates of psychosis and depression, after adjustment for age, marital status, education and immigrant status.

Method: Follow-up study of the total Swedish population aged 25-64 years with respect to first hospital admission for psychosis or depression. Level of urbanisation was defined by population density and divided into quintiles.

Results: With increasing levels of urbanisation the incidence rates of psychosis and depression rose. In the full models, those living in the most densely populated areas (quintile 5) had 68-77% more risk of developing psychosis and 12-20% more risk of developing depression than the reference group (quintile 1).

Conclusions: A high level of urbanisation is associated with increased risk of psychosis and depression for both women and men.

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Comment in

  • Does the urban environment cause psychosis?
    van Os J. van Os J. Br J Psychiatry. 2004 Apr;184:287-8. doi: 10.1192/bjp.184.4.287. Br J Psychiatry. 2004. PMID: 15056569 No abstract available.
  • Testosterone and psychosis.
    Howard JM. Howard JM. Br J Psychiatry. 2004 Aug;185:173. doi: 10.1192/bjp.185.2.173. Br J Psychiatry. 2004. PMID: 15286073 No abstract available.
  • Urbanisation and psychosis.
    Pedersen CB, Agerbo E. Pedersen CB, et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;186:168; author reply 168. doi: 10.1192/bjp.186.2.168. Br J Psychiatry. 2005. PMID: 15709274 No abstract available.

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