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Obstetric complications and schizophrenia: a meta-analysis
1University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Exposure to obstetric complications (OCs) doubles the risk of developing schizophrenia. However, this association may be influenced by selection and publication biases, warranting cautious interpretation of the findings.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Investigating the link between obstetric complications (OCs) and schizophrenia risk.
- Assessing heterogeneity and quantifying schizophrenia risk in subjects exposed to OCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the association between schizophrenia and OCs.
- To quantify the increased risk of schizophrenia in individuals with a history of OCs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review including 20 case-control and 3 cohort studies.
- Calculation of individual and pooled odds ratios.
- Analysis of heterogeneity based on study design and characteristics.
Main Results:
- A pooled odds ratio of 2.0 (95% CI 1.6-2.4) indicates a doubled risk of schizophrenia following OCs.
- Significant heterogeneity was observed between case-control and historical cohort study designs.
- Funnel plot analysis suggested potential publication bias, with smaller studies showing no effect.
Conclusions:
- Individuals exposed to OCs have a twofold increased likelihood of developing schizophrenia.
- The observed association may be inflated due to selection and publication biases.
- Further research is needed to clarify the true association, accounting for potential biases.