Incidence of schizophrenia in south-east London between 1965 and 1997

Abstract

BackgroundThere has been much debate about changes in the incidence of schizophrenia.AimsTo identify any changes in incidence of schizophrenia in Camber well, south-east London, between 1965 and 1997.MethodResearch Diagnostic Criteria and DSM–III–R diagnoses were generated for all first contacts by the OPCRIT computer program, and incidence rates of schizophrenia in seven time periods were measured. Indirect standardisation and Poisson models were used to measure the effect of time period and to examine interactions with age and gender.ResultsThere was a continuous and statistically significant increase in the incidence of schizophrenia, which was greatest in people under 35 years of age and was not gender-specific.ConclusionsThe incidence of schizophrenia has doubled in south-east London over the past three decades.