Potential Risk Factors for Schizophrenia

Objective: Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects the individual in various ways. Many risk factors have been suggested in the emergence of the illness. The aim of this study is to identify the potential risk factors for schizophrenia considering the characteristics of patients. Methods: The study included 164 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria and a control group consisting of a matching number of healthy people. The subjects were given questionnaire forms on potential risk factors (prenatal and postnatal, sociodemographic, illness-related information). Student's t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the data. Results: Significant differences were identified between the patient group and healthy control group in terms of: for the mother-use of medication, history of inflammatory disease, or a psychical or physical trauma during pregnancy; -for the patient-being born in hospital, prolonged delivery, growth during childhood, relatives with a history of schizophrenia, and school history. Among the subtypes of schizophrenia, significant differences were identified in terms of educational level, birth rank and school history. Conclusion: Identification of the potential risk factors for schizophrenia and of subjects at risk will provide important individual and social advantages, such as social health, health expenses and protection of individuals and society from the adverse effects of schizophrenia. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2010;47:230-6)