Familial score of psychiatric morbidity and age at onset of psychiatric disorder

Abstract

A group of 182 male psychotic patients with varying DSM-III diagnoses were studied concerning age at onset and psychiatric morbidity among relatives. The age at onset was defined as the age when symptoms first appeared and necessitated medical contact. The psychiatric morbidity among parents and siblings was studied and formed the basis for calculation of a familial score. A highly negative correlation between this familial score and age at onset was demonstrated. The results indicate that an increased familial loading of psychiatric illness involves an increased risk of early onset of psychotic illness.