[Gender differences in schizophrenia].

The authors conclude that most male schizophrenic patients display poorer premorbid functioning during the early stages of the illness. They more often display structural micro-abnormalities of the brain, organic deficits, are more chronic and have poor prognosis. Female patients are more often burdened with genetic factors, more often express productive and affective symptomatology, are more sensitive to neuroleptics and the course of their illness is more satisfactory.