The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia: Preliminary results from a systematic review

Background: The aim of this study is to compile all incidenceand prevalence studies based on systematic search criteria. Weplan to extract data from the relevant studies and use meta-analytictechniques to examine the influence of selected criteria Že.g.,design, secular change..Methods: Electronic databases ŽMedline, PsychInfo, Embase,LILAC. were systematically searched from 1965 to December2000. The search strategy was as follows: Žschizo)OR psycho).ANDŽincidence OR prevalence.Sources were also sought fromcitations and references from hard copies.Results: To date the search identified 1051 citations. Of these84.9% Ž892. were identified from an electronic database and23.1% Ž222. were from manual checkingof references cited inrelevant papers.Excludingduplicates and non-relevant studies 645 potentiallyrelevant articles were assessed. Of the 645 articles, 245 have beenincluded in the review Ži.e., contain primary data bout the inci-dence or prevalence of schizophrenia., while 400 are still awaitingassessment.Conclusion: There is an extensive literature describingtheincidence and prevalence of schizophrenia. However, most of thestudies have been undertaken in established market economies.We encourage researchers to check our poster in order to help usidentify additional studies.The Stanley Foundation supported this project