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Gender differences in early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Do women suffer more?
Author(s) -
Šimunović Filipčić Ivona,
Ivezić Ena,
Jakšić Nenad,
Mayer Nina,
Grah Majda,
Rojnić Kuzman Martina,
Bajić Zarko,
Svab Vesna,
Herceg Miroslav,
Filipčić Igor
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12867
Subject(s) - comorbidity , medicine , schizophrenia spectrum , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , odds , multimorbidity , odds ratio , population , disease , psychiatry , psychosis , environmental health , logistic regression
Aim The association between various physical illnesses and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) is well‐established. However, the role of gender remains unclear. The present study explored the gender‐based differences in the prevalence and early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities (CPM) in patients with SSD and the general population (GEP). Methods We recruited 329 SSD patients and 837 GEP controls in this nested cross‐sectional study. The primary outcome was the prevalence of the chronic physical multimorbidities, especially in the youngest age group (<35 years). Results Women with SSD had more than double the odds for having CPM than men (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.35‐4.50), while the gender‐related burden of chronic diseases in controls was nearly the same (OR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.65‐1.22). Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic disease in younger women patients was significantly higher than in controls ( P = .002), while younger men did not seem to experience this increased comorbidity burden. Conclusions This study suggests that women with SSD are at increased physical comorbidity risk compared to men, particularly early in the course of psychiatric illness. Tailored and individualized treatment plans must consider this, aiming to deliver holistic care and effective treatment outcomes.