Clinical features of late‐onset schizophrenia in Japan: comparison with early‐onset cases

Abstract

Background: Although the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders abandoned the use of the specifier 'late-onset', a considerable number of studies have reported clinical characteristics of late-onset schizophrenia. Still, only limited research has been conducted on late-onset schizophrenia, especially in Asian countries. In this epidemiological study, the clinical characteristics of late-onset schizophrenia were examined in comparison with early-onset schizophrenia. Methods: All patients with schizophrenia admitted to the psychiatric ward of Jichi Medical University Hospital between 1 April 1993 and 31 March 2006 were divided into two groups according to age at first onset: ≥40 years (late-onset group) and <40 years (early-onset group). The sex ratio, presence or absence of depression, schizophrenia subtype, premorbid character, marital history, and employment history at first onset were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 316 patients with schizophrenia identified, 38 patients were assigned to the late-onset group and 278 patients to the early-onset group. Mean age at onset was 23.9 1 8.2 years for all men and 28.0 1 13.5 years for all women. The late-onset group was characterized by more women, more paranoid type, more depressive symptoms, less introverted premorbid character, better premorbid adaptation and less neuroleptics. Conclusion: The characteristics of late-onset schizophrenia in Japan are in line those reported previously.

Late‐onset and nonlate‐onset schizophrenia: A comparison of clinical characteristics in a multicenter study

“…Age differences between LOS patients compared to NLOS patients in prior research could have contributed to this discrepancy, as all prior studies included significantly younger patients in the NLOS group, contrary to our study. In fact, the mean age of the NLOS group was consistently in the twenties in previous research 16,22,48 . One exception was Vahia et al.…”

“…LOS remains largely understudied 1 . In addition, prior research has often been limited by methodological constraints such as reliance on samples including a limited number of subjects from one center, 8,21–23 or important differences in mean age between groups of comparison. This last point is critical because schizophrenia interacts with the aging of the brain.…”

Can Psychological, Social and Demographical Factors Predict Clinical Characteristics Symptomatology of Bipolar Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia?

“…Our results might differ, because we analysed not depressive disorder, but depression dimension in a schizophrenia. Recent study by Yasuda group proved late onset of SCH is characterised by more depressive symptoms [ 33 ]. Study by Emsley showed PANSS scores for depression and anxiety symptoms are more severe in females, first-episode individuals and ones with positive symptoms predominant.…”

Schizophrénies et troubles délirants tardifs à l'âge avancé

“…Plusieurs études se sont penchées sur les caractéris tiques cliniques de la schizophrénie à début tardif en comparaison à la schizophrénie à début précoce [5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Environ 80% des patients schizophrènes âgés vivent dans la communauté.…”

“…Concernant la survenue d'une schizophrénie à début tardif ou très tardif, la présence d'antécédents de dépression, des traits de personnalité schizoïde et paranoïde prémorbide ainsi que l'isolement social seraient des facteurs de risque potentiels [10,[13][14][15]. Malgré l'importance et l'impact sociétal, il est parlant de mentionner que seulement 1% des études sur la schizophrénie est consacré à la schizophrénie d'appa rition tardive [16].…”