Anthropometric Study Revealed: Androgyny Score as an Important Tool in Early Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Anthropometry has become an important tool in the study of genetic disorders, particularly as a diagnostic aid for the clinical geneticists. However, many practicing physicians do not do anthropometry of patients for either unknown or unavailability of appropriate measurements and concerned data. Further development of multivariate approaches will enhance the application of anthropometry as a mean of identifying, classifying and documenting the natural history of many polygenic and heterogenous disorders. The cooperation among Physicians, Geneticists and Anthropologists for assessment of patients and collection of data is essential for early diagnosis of heterogenous disorders like Schizophrenia which is characterized by perturbation of language, perception, thinking, social activity and its prevalence is increasingly worldwide problem because of its more benign course specially in females and no characteristic pathogonomic features.This study was done on 57 patients of varying age of Schizophrenia diagnosed by Consultant Psychiatrist on the basis of diagnostic criteria (DSM-IVTR criteria)1 from Department of Psychiatry, S. N. Medical College, Agra and Institute of Mental Health, Agra.The study revealed highly significant decreased Androgyny score i.e. more femininity in Schizophrenic male patients with and without positive family history of schizophrenia, whereas in Schizophrenic female patients in both groups the increased value of Androgyny score was insignificant.