Epidemiological factors associated with treated incidence of first-episode non-affective psychosis in Cantabria: insights from the Clinical Programme on Early Phases of Psychosis.

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyse the treated incidence of schizophrenia in Cantabria (Northern Spain) and the sociodemographic risk factors associated with the illness onset.

METHODS

Data were obtained from patients included in the Cantabria's Clinical Programme on First-Episode Psychosis (schizophrenia spectrum DSM-IV diagnosis) from 2001 to 2005, from the Cantabria first-episode schizophrenia study (carried out between 1988 and 1989) and from the 2001 Spanish census.

RESULTS

Annual incidence was 1.38 per 10,000 inhabitants in the risk-ageperiod. Identified risk factors were male gender (relative risk (RR): 1.61), age 15-25 years (RR: 3.48), unemployment (RR: 2.82), single status (RR: 5.88), low educational level (RR: 4.38), urban environment (RR: 1.62) and cannabis consumption (odds ratio: 12.83). The incidence in females was significantly lower than the one obtained 15 years ago.

CONCLUSIONS

The reported factors suggest that underlying biological and social factors modulate the risk of psychosis. This balance operates differently in males and females.