Journal List > Korean J Schizophr Res > v.22(2) > 1136568

Ko, Lee, and Lee: Comparative Study of Clinical Features between Early- and Late-Onset Schizophrenia in South Korea

Abstract

Objectives

Late-onset schizophrenia (LOS, age at first onset ≥40 years) is characterized by including predominance of women, better premorbid social adjustment and lower severity of positive/negative symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted on LOS, especially in Asian countries. This study aimed to examine the clinical features of LOS in comparison with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS).

Methods

By retrospectively reviewing medical records, we assessed demographic data and clinical features of 76 LOS (20 males) and 357 EOS (144 males) who admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital.

Results

The mean ages of onset were 47.3±5.1 (LOS) and 25.7±6.5 (EOS) years. There were significantly more women in LOS (73.7%) than EOS (59.6%). Significantly more LOS patients had a marital (88.2% vs. 25.8%) and employment history (28.9% vs. 13.1%) than EOS. Patients with LOS had fewer negative (14.3±9.0 vs. 19.9±9.3), general psychopathology score (36.9±11.1 vs. 42.3±13.9) than EOS patients.

Conclusion

In line with previous studies, this study demonstrated that LOS patients have better premorbid social adjustment. Our finding also replicates previous findings that LOS patients differ from EOS in predominance of women and relative lack of negative symptoms. These results suggest that LOS may be a distinct subtype of schizophrenia.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Demographic characteristics of early-onset and late-onset schizophrenia

kjsr-22-51-i001

*: χ2 test, : adjusting for group differences in age

Table 2

Demographic and clinical characteristics of the group underwent intelligent test

kjsr-22-51-i002

*: χ2 test, : adjusting for group differences in age, duration of illness. FIQ: Full scale Intelligence Quotient

Table 3

Clinical characteristics of early-onset and late-onset schizophrenia

kjsr-22-51-i003

*: adjusting for group differences in age, duration of illness. PANSS: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning

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