Comparison of the incidence of schizophrenia in rural Dumfries and Galloway and urban Camberwell

J. Allardyce*, J. Boydell, J. Van Os, G. Morrison, D. Castle, R. M. Murray, R. G. McCreadie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Background Being born or living in urban areas is associated with high rates of schizophrenia. However, few studies have compared the incidence in urban/rural areas using the same methodology. Aims To compare service-based incidence rates for schizophrenia in rural Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland with urban Camberwell in south-east London, Method Using Research Diagnostic Criteria diagnoses from the OPCRIT computer algorithm, we compared the incidence of schizophrenia over 12 years (1979-1984 and 1992-1997) using indirect standardisation techniques and Poisson regression modelling, Results The incidence was 61% higher in urban Camberwell than in rural Dumfries and Galloway (standardised incidence ratio (SIR)= 1.61; 95% Cl=1.42-1.81). There was no difference in incidence when we compared the White population in Camberwell with Dumfries and Galloway (SIR=1.12; 95% Cl=0.86-1.43). Conclusions The incidence of schizophrenia in urban Camberwell was higher than that in rural Dumfries and Galloway; the high incidence of non-Whites in Camberwell largely explains the urban/rural difference.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-339
Number of pages5
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume179
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2001

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