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Minor physical anomalies in psychoses: associations with clinical and putative aetiological variables
J J McGrath1, J van Os, C Hoyos
1Clinical Studies Unit, Wolston Park Hospital, Wacol, Australia.
Abstract:
This study of patients with functional psychoses set out to examine associations between minor physical anomalies (MPAs) and demographic, clinical, CT scan measures, and putative aetiological variables. 157 psychotic patients had minor physical anomalies assessed using a modified Waldrop scale. RDC diagnoses for these patients were: schizophrenia (n = 79), schizoaffective disorder (n = 31), mania (n = 24), major depression (n = 13), unspecified functional psychosis (n = 8), other organic psychosis (n = 2). 63 healthy white controls were also assessed with the modified Waldrop scale. Minor physical anomalies were not associated with any particular diagnosis. For white subjects, patients had significantly more MPAs than well controls. Anomalies of the palate were the most frequent item reported in patients and controls. For males, there was a weak association between the presence of MPAs and positive family history of a major psychiatric disorder. Those with MPAs required more frequent and longer psychiatric admissions, and showed impaired ability on a test sensitive to left parietal system function. Within the patient group, there were no associations between MPAs and gender, age at onset, negative symptoms, premorbid level of functioning, estimated premorbid intelligence, pregnancy and birth complications, and selected CT variables. Minor physical anomalies are found in a range of functional psychoses. There may be overlap between the various genes that predispose to psychiatric illness (especially in males) and those genes that predispose to developmental instability.
Insights
Patients with functional psychoses show more minor physical anomalies (MPAs) than controls. MPAs are linked to increased psychiatric admissions and cognitive deficits, suggesting developmental instability in psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Genetics
Background:
- Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are subtle physical traits that may indicate developmental instability.
- Previous research has explored the link between MPAs and various psychiatric conditions, but findings remain inconsistent.
- Understanding these associations can provide insights into the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of functional psychoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between MPAs and demographic, clinical, neuroimaging, and etiological factors in patients with functional psychoses.
- To compare MPA prevalence in psychotic patients versus healthy controls.
- To explore potential genetic links between developmental instability and psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 157 patients with functional psychoses (including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mania, and depression) and 63 healthy controls for MPAs using a modified Waldrop scale.
- Collected data on demographic, clinical, and etiological variables, including family psychiatric history and birth complications.
- Administered cognitive tests sensitive to specific brain functions and analyzed computed tomography (CT) scan measures.
Main Results:
- Patients with functional psychoses had significantly more MPAs than healthy controls, particularly among white subjects.
- Palatal anomalies were the most common MPA observed in both groups.
- MPAs were associated with a positive family history of psychiatric disorder in males, more frequent and longer psychiatric admissions, and impaired performance on tests of left parietal function.
Conclusions:
- Minor physical anomalies are prevalent across various functional psychoses, suggesting a potential overlap in genetic predispositions for developmental instability and psychiatric illness, especially in males.
- MPAs may serve as a potential biomarker for increased psychiatric hospitalization and specific cognitive deficits.
- Further research into the genetic overlap between developmental instability and psychiatric disorders is warranted.
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