TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Gender differences in patients presenting with first-episode psychosis in Hong Kong: a three-year follow up study
JO  - Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry
A1  - Chang, Wing Chung
A1  - Tang, Jennifer Y. M.
A1  - Hui, Christy L. M.
A1  - Chiu, Cindy P. Y.
A1  - Lam, May M. L.
A1  - Wong, Gloria H. Y.
A1  - Chung, Dicky W. S.
A1  - Law, Chi Wing
A1  - Tso, Steve
A1  - Chan, Kathy P. M.
A1  - Hung, S. F.
A1  - Chen, Eric Y. H.
SP  - 199
EP  - 205
VL  - 45
IS  - 3
N2  - Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate gender differences with respect to pre-treatment characteristics, clinical presentation, service utilization and functional outcome in patients presenting with first-episode psychosis. Methods: A total of 700 participants (men, n = 360; women, n = 340) aged 15 to 25 years consecutively enrolled in a territory-wide first-episode psychosis treatment programme in Hong Kong from July 2001 to August 2003 were studied. Baseline and three-year follow up variables were collected via systematic medical file review. Results: At service entry, men had significantly lower educational attainment (p < 0.01), longer median duration of untreated psychosis (p < 0.001), fewer past suicidal attempts (p < 0.01), more severe negative symptoms (p < 0.05) and fewer affective symptoms (p < 0.01) than women. There was no significant gender difference in age of onset. In three-year follow up, men had more prominent negative symptoms (p < 0.001), fewer affective symptoms (p < 0.01), more violent behaviour and forensic records (p < 0.01), and higher rate of substance abuse (p < 0.01). Women achieved higher levels of functioning than men (Social Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), p < 0.001) and a significantly higher proportion of women than men engaged in full-time employment or study for at least 12 consecutive months (p < 0.001) in the initial three years after psychiatric treatment. Conclusion: Notable gender differences in clinical profiles, illness trajectory and functional outcome were demonstrated in Chinese young people suffering from first-episode psychosis. Differential needs between men and women and hence gender-specific therapeutic strategies should be considered in early intervention service.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0004-8674
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00048674.2010.547841
ID  - ref1
ER  -