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Group‐specific component and haptoglobin distributions in schizophrenic states
Author(s) -
Brackenridge C. J.,
Jones I. H.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1972.tb01464.x
Subject(s) - haptoglobin , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , medicine , psychosis , population , heterozygote advantage , psychology , allele , psychiatry , endocrinology , biology , genetics , environmental health , gene
The distributions of plasma group‐specific component (Gc) and haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes of a large group of schizophrenic patients were compared with those of an unselected group of normal blood donors. Some appreciable differences in Hp phenotype frequencies were found, but there was no marked deviation from Hardy‐Weinberg expectation for either polymorphism. A significant negative regression of the proportion of schizophrenic Hp 2‐2 persons on age was observed. When schizophrenic patients were individually matched for sex, age and racial background with healthy persons, the previous results were reversed. A difference in Gc distributions was found but the Hp distributions reverted to normal, thus demonstrating the importance of adequate control groups in association studies. It was concluded that about 10 % fewer Gc heterozygotes and 5 % fewer Hp heterozygotes existed among the schizophrenic than the normal group. In view of the low fertility in schizophrenia, this may play a part in maintaining the balance of these polymorphisms in the general population. Acute illness, paranoid symptoms, age in excess of 40 years, single status, unemployment and lack of occupational skills appeared to be factors associated with the altered Gc distribution found in schizophrenia.