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
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.