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Comparative Study
. 2008 Nov-Dec;49(6):523-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.03.004. Epub 2008 Jun 3.

Sex differences in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: a 20-year longitudinal study of psychosis and recovery

Linda S Grossman  1 , Martin Harrow, Cherise Rosen, Robert Faull, Gregory P Strauss
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Sex differences in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: a 20-year longitudinal study of psychosis and recovery

Linda S Grossman et al. Compr Psychiatry. 2008 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

This longitudinal study was designed to provide data on sex differences in the course of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Ninety-seven participants (43 women and 54 men) were assessed during index hospitalization when they were in the acute phase of illness and then reassessed prospectively at 6 consecutive follow-ups over a 20-year period. Patients were evaluated by a series of standardized measures on many aspects of illness including the presence of psychosis, global outcome, and rate of recovery. When women were compared to men in this sample, the data demonstrated a lower percentage of psychotic activity for women over the course of illness (significant at the 7.5- and 20-year follow-ups), and a significant improvement in psychotic activity over 20 years for women (P < .05), but not for men. In addition, women showed significantly better global functioning (P < .05) at 3 of the 6 follow-ups (the 2-, 7.5-, and 10-year follow-ups). Significantly higher percentages (P < .05) of women were in recovery at 2 of the 6 follow-up years (the 2- and 10-year follow-ups). Cumulatively, 61% of the women with schizophrenia showed a period of recovery at some point during the 20-year period compared to 41% of the men. The sex difference patterns were similar for patients with schizophrenia and for those with other types of psychotic disorders. Sex differences in this sample were specifically not attributable to differences in age of onset or premorbid developmental achievements.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Sex Differences of % of Patients with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders Showing Psychotic Activity: 6 Followups over 20 Years
Figure 2
Figure 2. Sex differences in global functioning in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: 6 followups over 20 years1
1Higher scores represent poorer global outcome
Figure 3
Figure 3. Sex Differences in Percentage of Schizophrenia Patients Experiencing Recovery Over 20 Years
*Recovery = Period of one or more years with no major symptoms, no rehospitalizations, and at least partially adequate instrumental work and social functioning
Figure 4
Figure 4. Cumulative % of women and men with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders who ever experienced a period of recovery* (6 followups over 20 years)
*Recovery = Period of one or more years with no major symptoms, no rehospitalizations, and at least partially adequate instrumental work and social functioning
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