Association of family history of schizophrenia and history of obstetric complications at birth: relationship with age at onset and psychopathology dimensions in a Nigerian cohort.

Journal: African health sciences

Volume: 20

Issue: 2

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract summary 

The nature of the association between obstetric complications (OCs) at birth and the genetic aetiology of schizophrenia remains unclear, as some authors suggest that it is an independent risk factor while others support either interactionism or an epiphenomenon perspective.To examine the association of family history of schizophrenia (FHS) with history of OCs, with a view to assessing whether this relationship moderates clinical phenotypes such as symptom dimensions and age at onset of illness.This study examined OCs among schizophrenia probands using the Obstetric Complications Scale. An inquiry into family history was performed using the Family history method. Psychopathological symptom dimensions were assessed using standard scales. Data were analyzed to examine the interaction of FHS and history of OCs with age at onset and symptom dimensions, using ANCOVA.FHS was significantly associated with the disorganized symptoms dimension (p=0.03). History of OCs was significantly associated with earlier age at onset (p=0.007). However, in ANCOVA, the effect of the interaction between FHS and history of OCs was not significant for age at onset and symptom dimensions (P = 0.059).FHS was significantly associated with disorganization syndrome, and OCs was significantly associated with age at onset.

Authors & Co-authors:  Onu Justus Uchenna JU Ohaeri Jude Uzoma JU

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  World Health Organization . Geneva Switzerland: World Health Organization press; 2008. The Global burden of diseases 2004 update.
Authors :  2
Identifiers
Doi : 10.4314/ahs.v20i2.21
SSN : 1729-0503
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Family history;age at onset;obstetric complications;schizophrenia;symptom dimensions
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Nigeria
Publication Country
Uganda