Epidemiology of Schizophrenia

Although it seems to effect 1% of the general population, schizophrenia brings a big burden to the society due to the nature of the disease. Male schizophrenic patients generally develop schizophrenia at the ages of 20's, or at their teen age period. Among the female schizophrenic patients, the disease emerges at 20's or early 30's. Thus female patients have a later onset of disease comparing it with make patient population.

Although epidemiologic data varies from country to country; the average who are likely to develop the disease in general population is 1%. Thus the rates are similar all around the world. In United States in a given year schizophrenic patient population is between 2M-2.3M (Millions). The incidence of schizophrenia does not change by the gender. However, Although schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency, it usually appears earlier in men, often with an onset in the late teens or 20's. Women with the disease usually do not show symptoms until their 20's to early 30's.  Other important points about the epidemiology of schizophrenia include:

• Schizophrenia is found in every country around the world, in all races, cultures, and social classes. 
• Although two-thirds of treated patients require hospitalization, only about half receive treatment. 
• About four out of five individuals with schizophrenia will not recover completely.
• Schizophrenia ranks among the top ten causes of disability in developed countries world wide.
• People with schizophrenia have a 1.6 times greater risk of death from all causes, and a 9 times higher risk of death from suicide.