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. 2011 Apr;46(4):343-50.
doi: 10.1007/s00127-010-0209-z. Epub 2010 Mar 20.

Incidence of hospitalised schizophrenia in Finland since 1980: decreasing and increasing again

Raimo K R Salokangas  1 , Mika Helminen, Anna-Maija Koivisto, Helena Rantanen, Hannu Oja, Sami Pirkola, Kristian Wahlbeck, Matti Joukamaa
Affiliations

Incidence of hospitalised schizophrenia in Finland since 1980: decreasing and increasing again

Raimo K R Salokangas et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Background: It is suggested that the incidence of schizophrenia is decreasing. However, changes in the number of psychiatric beds available and diagnostic practice have not always been taken into account. We studied the annual first-admission rate (per 100,000) for schizophrenia (FARsch) during a rapid deinstitutionalisation period in Finland.

Method: From the National Finnish Hospital discharge register, we identified all 30,041, 15- to 64-year-old patients admitted for the first time with schizophrenia to hospitals in Finland between 1980 and 2003.

Results: FARsch decreased from 56.39 in 1980 to 29.51 in 1991 and slightly increased thereafter. Changes in FARsch corresponded with changes in all admissions. FARsch was higher when using ICD-8, but lower when DSM-IIIR and ICD-10 were used.

Conclusion: Changes in the number of psychiatric beds available, admission policy and diagnostic practice may explain the majority of variations in FARsch. Possibly, increased use of illegal drugs and improved treatment of depression are reflected in the increase in FARsch.

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