Age of onset by sex in schizophrenia: Proximal and distal characteristics.

Background: Earlier schizophrenia onset in men relative to women has been a consistent finding in the literature, but a nuanced understanding of underlying reasons remains elusive. Further consideration should be given to factors associated with sex differences in age of onset.

Method: Participants with schizophrenia were derived from the 2010 Australian Survey of High Impact Psychosis (n = 857).

Examining which factors influence age of onset in males and females with schizophrenia.

Objective: Data from the 2010 Australian National Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) was used to examine (1) what variables influence age of onset (AOO) for males and females, and (2) whether influencing variables were different between the sexes.

Method: Data from 622 schizophrenia patients in the SHIP sample was used. These included early life factors, encompassing family psychiatric history, childhood development, trauma and parental loss.

Risk factors in early and late onset schizophrenia.

Background: This study looks at key risk factors in patients with schizophrenia to identify trends according to age of onset, comparing presentations prior to 26years (youth onset), between 26 and 40years (middle onset), and after 40years of age (late onset).

Methods: The early psychosis program at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne treats patients presenting in the early stages of psychosis between 16 and 65years of age. A database was developed to capture key risk factors in all patients with an eventual diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=225).

First episode psychosis in an adult area mental health service-a closer look at early and late-onset first episode psychosis.

Objectives: To review the characteristics of all patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis between the ages of 16 and 65 years to an adult area mental health service.

Methods: The early psychosis programme at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne treats all patients presenting in the early stages of psychosis between the ages of 16 and 65 years. A database was developed to capture the demographic and diagnostic characteristics of the group.

Fidelity to clinical guidelines using a care pathway in the treatment of first episode psychosis.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in the initial stages of treatment of first episode psychosis, through use of a care pathway within one area mental health service.

Methods: A fidelity audit was undertaken using data from local Early Psychosis Care Pathway documents, completed for the cohort of clients with early psychosis seen in the first 2 years of an integrated early psychosis programme model, at St Vincent's Mental Health Service, Melbourne, Australia.

Results: The utilisation of a care pathway greatly supported both the documentation of clinical process and fidelity to clinical guidelines in early psychosis treatment.