The Nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry. Part IV. The influence of patient social characteristics on treated incidence.

As part of a Nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry, sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age and marital status) were studied in relation to treated incidence in eight diagnostic subgroups. One-year incidence cohorts in seven sectorized psychiatric services were used. Women with a neurosis diagnosis had a significantly higher relative probability of contact with all services. Men with a dependence diagnosis had a significantly higher relative probability of contact with four of the seven services. Older people had a significantly higher relative risk for affective psychosis in six of the seven centres, and younger individuals had a significantly higher relative risk for personality disorders in six of the seven centres. Unmarried people showed a higher relative risk for functional psychosis and personality disorders in five of the seven services.