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Increased Occurrence of Schizophrenia and other Psychiatric Illnesses Among Twins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Ulla Kläning ,
Preben Bo Mortensen  and
Kirsten Ohm Kyvik
Ulla Kläning*
Affiliation:
Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Risskov
Preben Bo Mortensen
Affiliation:
Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Risskov
Kirsten Ohm Kyvik
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiologic Research Unit, Institute of Community Health, Odense University, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
*
Ulla Kläning, Institute for Basic Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatric Demography, Psychiatric Hospital in Aarhus, DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark
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Abstract

Background

We wished to establish whether the occurrence of schizophrenia among twins is the same as among the general population.

Method

Through record linkage between the New Danish Twin Register and the Danish Psychiatric Case Register, the twins who have ever received a diagnosis of schizophrenia were identified. Through indirect standardisation for age, sex and dates of admission, the rate of first admission with diagnosis schizophrenia among twins is compared to the same rate in the general population.

Results

A 28% increase in the rate of first admissions for schizophrenia in twins compared to the general population was found. This is statistically significant and does not seem to be caused by any known methodological problems. Twins also had an increased first-admission rate of any psychiatric disorders.

Conclusion

This increased risk does not seem to be explained by known methodological problems, but does differ from earlier studies.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 6 , June 1996 , pp. 688 - 692
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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