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Seasonal influences on admissions for affective disorder and schizophrenia in Ireland: a comparison of first and readmissions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M. Clarke
Affiliation:
Stanley Research Unit, St John of God Adult Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
P. Moran
Affiliation:
Richmond Brain Foundation, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Dublin 9
F. Keogh
Affiliation:
The Health Research Board, 73 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2
M. Morris
Affiliation:
Stanley Research Unit, St John of God Adult Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
A. Kinsella
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street Dublin 8, Ireland
C. Larkin
Affiliation:
Stanley Research Unit, St John of God Adult Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
D. Walsh
Affiliation:
The Health Research Board, 73 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2
E. O'Callaghan
Affiliation:
Stanley Research Unit, St John of God Adult Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
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Summary

Although genetic and environmental factors operating before or around the time of birth have been demonstrated to be relevant to the aetiology of the major psychoses, a seasonal variation in the rates of admission of such patients has long been recognised. Few studies have compared first and readmissions. This study examined for seasonal variation of admission in the major psychoses, and compared diagnostic categories by admission status. Patients admitted to Irish psychiatric inpatient facilities between 1989 and 1994 with an ICD-9/10 diagnosis of schizophrenia or affective disorder were identified from the National Psychiatric Inpatient Reporting System (NPIRS). The data were analysed using a hierarchical log linear model, the chi-square test, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) type statistic, and the method of Walter and Elwood. The hierarchical log linear model demonstrated significant interactions between the month of admission and admission order (change in scaled deviance 28.77, df = 11, P < 0.003). Both first admissions with mania, and readmissions with bipolar affective disorder exhibited significant seasonality. In contrast, only first admissions with schizophrenia showed significant seasonal effects. Although first admissions with mania and readmissions with bipolar disorder both show seasonality, seasonal influences appear to be more relevant to onset of schizophrenia than subsequent relapse.

Type
Original article
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS.

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