Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Introduction. To date, few studies have focused on the characterization of clinical phenomenology regarding gender in population at high-risk of psychosis. This paper is an attempt to summarize the findings found in the scientific literature regarding gender differences in high-risk populations, tak...

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Main Authors: Ana Barajas, Susana Ochoa, Jordi E. Obiols, Lluís Lalucat-Jo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430735
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author Ana Barajas
Susana Ochoa
Jordi E. Obiols
Lluís Lalucat-Jo
author_facet Ana Barajas
Susana Ochoa
Jordi E. Obiols
Lluís Lalucat-Jo
author_sort Ana Barajas
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. To date, few studies have focused on the characterization of clinical phenomenology regarding gender in population at high-risk of psychosis. This paper is an attempt to summarize the findings found in the scientific literature regarding gender differences in high-risk populations, taking into account parameters studied in populations with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, such as incidence, clinical expression, duration of untreated illness (DUI), social functioning, and cognitive impairment prior to full-blown psychosis development. Method. Studies were systematically searched in PubMed. Studies using gender variable as a control variable were excluded. 12 studies met inclusion criteria. Results. Most of the studies found a differential pattern between women and men as regards clinical, social, and cognitive variables in the prodromal phase, with worse performance in men except in cognitive functioning (more severe negative symptoms, worse social functioning, and longer DUI in men). Similar conversion rates over time were found between men and women. Conclusions. Many of the studies analyzed suggest that differences between men and women in the expression of psychosis extend across a continuum, from the subclinical forms of illness to the debut of psychosis. However, the small number of studies and their significant methodological and clinical limitations do not allow for firm conclusions.
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spelling doaj-art-ff162e99f33d407c8b4e95fdfd011a752025-08-20T02:22:44ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2015-01-01201510.1155/2015/430735430735Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature ReviewAna Barajas0Susana Ochoa1Jordi E. Obiols2Lluís Lalucat-Jo3Department of Research, Centre d’Higiene Mental Les Corts, Network Group for Research in Women’s Mental Health (NGRWMH), 08029 Barcelona, SpainParc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Network Group for Research in Women’s Mental Health (NGRWMH), Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, SpainDepartament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainDepartment of Research, Centre d’Higiene Mental Les Corts, Network Group for Research in Women’s Mental Health (NGRWMH), 08029 Barcelona, SpainIntroduction. To date, few studies have focused on the characterization of clinical phenomenology regarding gender in population at high-risk of psychosis. This paper is an attempt to summarize the findings found in the scientific literature regarding gender differences in high-risk populations, taking into account parameters studied in populations with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, such as incidence, clinical expression, duration of untreated illness (DUI), social functioning, and cognitive impairment prior to full-blown psychosis development. Method. Studies were systematically searched in PubMed. Studies using gender variable as a control variable were excluded. 12 studies met inclusion criteria. Results. Most of the studies found a differential pattern between women and men as regards clinical, social, and cognitive variables in the prodromal phase, with worse performance in men except in cognitive functioning (more severe negative symptoms, worse social functioning, and longer DUI in men). Similar conversion rates over time were found between men and women. Conclusions. Many of the studies analyzed suggest that differences between men and women in the expression of psychosis extend across a continuum, from the subclinical forms of illness to the debut of psychosis. However, the small number of studies and their significant methodological and clinical limitations do not allow for firm conclusions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430735
spellingShingle Ana Barajas
Susana Ochoa
Jordi E. Obiols
Lluís Lalucat-Jo
Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
The Scientific World Journal
title Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_full Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_fullStr Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_short Gender Differences in Individuals at High-Risk of Psychosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review
title_sort gender differences in individuals at high risk of psychosis a comprehensive literature review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430735
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