Seasonal variation in hospital admission for bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia in Tasmania

Citation
Ba. Daniels et al., Seasonal variation in hospital admission for bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia in Tasmania, ACT PSYC SC, 102(1), 2000, pp. 38-43
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry","Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
ISSN journal
0001690X → ACNP
Volume
102
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
38 - 43
Database
ISI
SICI code
0001-690X(200007)102:1<38:SVIHAF>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
Objective: Seasonal variation has been reported for both affective disorder s and schizophrenia. The current study examines seasonal variation in admis sions in schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder in Tasmania, the so uthernmost state of Australia. Method: All admissions with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression in Tasmania between 1983 and 1989 were examined for evidence of seasonal variation in admission patterns. Results: Using the modified Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic defined by Freedma n no significant seasonal variation was found in admissions with diagnoses of mania, depression or schizophrenia. There was a significant seasonal var iation in admissions with schizoaffective disorder (winter peak). Conclusion: There is no significant seasonal variation in admissions with s chizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder in Tasmania, This may be due t o a combination of geographical location and the stringent test of seasonal variation used in the current study.