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Sex and gender differences in symptoms of early psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health 2022; 25:679-691. [PMID: 35748930 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-022-01247-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
First-episode psychosis (FEP) can be quite variable in clinical presentation, and both sex and gender may account for some of this variability. Prior literature on sex or gender differences in symptoms of psychosis have been inconclusive, and a comprehensive summary of evidence on the early course of illness is lacking. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to summarize prior evidence on the sex and gender differences in the symptoms of early psychosis. We conducted an electronic database search (MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) from 1990 to present to identify quantitative studies focused on sex or gender differences in the symptoms of early psychosis. We used random effects models to compute pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for a range of symptoms. Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, and 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis. All studies examined sex differences. Men experienced more severe negative symptoms (SMD = - 0.15, 95%CI = - 0.21, - 0.09), whereas women experienced more severe depressive symptoms (SMD = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.14, 0.27) and had higher functioning (SMD = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.10, 0.23). Women also had a lower prevalence of substance use issues (RR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.61, 0.69). Symptoms of early psychosis varied between men and women; however, we were limited in our ability to differentiate between biological sex and gender factors. These findings may help to inform early detection and intervention efforts to better account for sex and gender differences in early psychosis presentation.
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Ferrer-Quintero M, Fernández D, López-Carrilero R, Birulés I, Barajas A, Lorente-Rovira E, Luengo A, Díaz-Cutraro L, Verdaguer M, García-Mieres H, Gutiérrez-Zotes A, Grasa E, Pousa E, Huerta-Ramos E, Pélaez T, Barrigón ML, Gómez-Benito J, González-Higueras F, Ruiz-Delgado I, Cid J, Moritz S, Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones J, Ochoa S. Males and females with first episode psychosis present distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:1169-1181. [PMID: 35802165 PMCID: PMC9508015 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01438-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in social cognition and metacognition impact the course of psychosis. Sex differences in social cognition and metacognition could explain heterogeneity in psychosis. 174 (58 females) patients with first-episode psychosis completed a clinical, neuropsychological, social cognitive, and metacognitive assessment. Subsequent latent profile analysis split by sex yielded two clusters common to both sexes (a Homogeneous group, 53% and 79.3%, and an Indecisive group, 18.3% and 8.6% of males and females, respectively), a specific male profile characterized by presenting jumping to conclusions (28.7%) and a specific female profile characterized by cognitive biases (12.1%). Males and females in the homogeneous profile seem to have a more benign course of illness. Males with jumping to conclusions had more clinical symptoms and more neuropsychological deficits. Females with cognitive biases were younger and had lower self-esteem. These results suggest that males and females may benefit from specific targeted treatment and highlights the need to consider sex when planning interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Ferrer-Quintero
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Departament de Psicologia Social I Psicologia Quantitativa, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - D. Fernández
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain ,Serra Húnter Fellow. Department of Statistics and Operations Research (DEIO), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech (UPC), Barcelona, 08028 Spain ,Institute of Mathematics of UPC - BarcelonaTech (IMTech), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
| | - R. López-Carrilero
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - I. Birulés
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Departament de Psicologia Social I Psicologia Quantitativa, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Barajas
- Departament de Psicologia, Facultat de Psicologia Clínica I de La Salut. Serra Hunter Fellow, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain ,Department of Research, Centre d’Higiene Mental Les Corts, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Lorente-Rovira
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Psychiatry Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - A. Luengo
- Psychiatry Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - L. Díaz-Cutraro
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,COMSAL research group, FPCEE, Blanquerna Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Verdaguer
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Departament de Psicologia, Facultat de Psicologia Clínica I de La Salut. Serra Hunter Fellow, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain ,Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - H. García-Mieres
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Gutiérrez-Zotes
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili-CERCA, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - E. Grasa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Pousa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain ,Salut Mental Parc Taulí. Sabadell (Barcelona), Hospital Universitari–UAB Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ,Neuropsiquiatria I Addicions, Hospital del Mar. IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Huerta-Ramos
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - T. Pélaez
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. L. Barrigón
- Departament of Psychiatry, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain ,Psychiatry Service, Area de Gestión Sanitaria Sur Granada, Motril, Granada, Spain
| | - J. Gómez-Benito
- Departament de Psicologia Social I Psicologia Quantitativa, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain , GEIMAC, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - I. Ruiz-Delgado
- Unidad de Salud Mental Comunitaria Malaga Norte, Malaga, Spain
| | - J. Cid
- Mental Health and Addiction Research Group. IdiBGi. Institut d’Assistencia Sanitària, Girona, Spain
| | - S. Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J. Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Health Research Institute (IdISSC), Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - S. Ochoa
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregats, Dr. Pujades 42. Sant Boi de Llobregat 08830, Barcelona, Spain ,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Psychosis in Women: Time for Personalized Treatment. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121279. [PMID: 34945748 PMCID: PMC8705671 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection and prompt treatment of psychosis is of the utmost importance. The great variability in clinical onset, illness course, and response to pharmacological and psychosocial treatment is in great part gender-related. Our aim has been to review narratively the literature focusing on gender related differences in the psychoses, i.e., schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases on 31 July 2021, focusing on recent research regarding sex differences in early psychosis. Although women, compared to men, tend to have better overall functioning at psychotic symptom onset, they often present with more mood symptoms, may undergo misdiagnosis and delay in treatment and are at a higher risk for antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic and endocrine-induced side effects. Furthermore, women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have more than double the odds of having physical comorbidities than men. Tailored treatment plans delivered by healthcare services should consider gender differences in patients with a diagnosis of psychosis, with a particular attention to early phases of disease in the context of the staging model of psychosis onset.
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Giordano GM, Bucci P, Mucci A, Pezzella P, Galderisi S. Gender Differences in Clinical and Psychosocial Features Among Persons With Schizophrenia: A Mini Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:789179. [PMID: 35002807 PMCID: PMC8727372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.789179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
An extensive literature regarding gender differences relevant to several aspects of schizophrenia is nowadays available. It includes some robust findings as well as some inconsistencies. In the present review, we summarize the literature on gender differences in schizophrenia relevant to clinical and social outcome as well as their determinants, focusing on clinical variables, while gender differences on biological factors which may have an impact on the outcome of the disorder were not included herewith. Consistent findings include, in male with respect to female patients, an earlier age of illness onset limited to early- and middle-onset schizophrenia, a worse premorbid functioning, a greater severity of negative symptoms, a lower severity of affective symptoms and a higher rate of comorbid alcohol/substance abuse. Discrepant findings have been reported on gender differences in positive symptoms and in social and non-social cognition, as well as in functional outcome and rates of recovery. In fact, despite the overall finding of a more severe clinical picture in males, this does not seem to translate into a worse outcome. From the recent literature emerges that, although some findings on gender differences in schizophrenia are consistent, there are still aspects of clinical and functional outcome which need clarification by means of further studies taking into account several methodological issues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Bucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Armida Mucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pezzella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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Ayesa-Arriola R, de la Foz VOG, Setién-Suero E, Ramírez-Bonilla ML, Suárez-Pinilla P, Son JMV, Vázquez-Bourgon J, Juncal-Ruiz M, Gómez-Revuelta M, Tordesillas-Gutiérrez D, Crespo-Facorro B. Understanding sex differences in long-term outcomes after a first episode of psychosis. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2020; 6:33. [PMID: 33219222 PMCID: PMC7679369 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-020-00120-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While sex differences in schizophrenia have long been reported and discussed, long-term sex differences in outcomes among first episode of psychosis (FEP) patients in terms of the efficacy of Early Intervention Services (EIS) has been an under-explored area. A total of 209 FEP patients (95 females and 114 males) were reassessed after a time window ranging from 8 to 16 years after their first contact with an EIS program (PAFIP) that we will call the 10-year PAFIP cohort. Multiple clinical, cognitive, functioning, premorbid, and sociodemographic variables were explored at 1-year, 3-year and 10-year follow-ups. At first contact, females were older at illness onset, had higher premorbid adjustment and IQ, and were more frequently employed, living independently, and accompanied by a partner and/or children. Existence of a schizophrenia diagnosis, and cannabis and alcohol consumption were more probable among men. During the first 3 years, women showed a significantly better response to minimal antipsychotic dosages and higher rates of recovery than men (50% vs. 30.8%). Ten years later, more females continued living independently and had partners, while schizophrenia diagnoses and cannabis consumption continued to be more frequent among men. Females also presented a lower severity of negative symptoms; however, functionality and recovery differences did not show significant differences (46.7% vs. 34.4%). Between the 3- and 10-year follow-up sessions, an increase in dosage of antipsychotics was observed. These results suggest that the better outcomes seen among women during the first 3 years (while they were treated in an EIS) were in the presence of more favourable premorbid and baseline characteristics. After an average period of 10 years, with the only difference being in negative symptoms course, outcomes for women approximated those of men, drawing particular attention to the increase in dosage of antipsychotic medication once FEP patients were discharged from the EIS program towards community-based services. These findings help to pose the question of whether it is advisable to target sexes and lengthen EIS interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Ayesa-Arriola
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. .,CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Víctor Ortíz-García de la Foz
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Setién-Suero
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - María Luz Ramírez-Bonilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Paula Suárez-Pinilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacqueline Mayoral-van Son
- CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Sevilla, IBiS, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Vázquez-Bourgon
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Juncal-Ruiz
- Sierrallana Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, IDIVAL, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Torrelavega, Spain
| | - Marcos Gómez-Revuelta
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Diana Tordesillas-Gutiérrez
- Department of Psychiatry, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL. School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- CIBERSAM, Centro InvestigaciónBiomédicaen Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Sevilla, IBiS, Sevilla, Spain
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Buck G, Lavigne KM, Makowski C, Joober R, Malla A, Lepage M. Sex Differences in Verbal Memory Predict Functioning Through Negative Symptoms in Early Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:1587-1595. [PMID: 32307536 PMCID: PMC7846137 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Verbal memory (VM) is one of the most affected cognitive domains in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and is a robust predictor of functioning. Given that healthy females demonstrate superior VM relative to males and that female patients show less-severe illness courses than male patients, this study examined whether normative sex differences in VM extend to FEP and influence functioning. Four hundred and thirty-five patients (299 males, 136 females) with affective or nonaffective psychosis were recruited from a catchment-based specialized FEP intervention service and 138 nonclinical controls (96 males, 42 females) were recruited from the same community. One of the two neurocognitive batteries comprising six cognitive domains (VM, visual memory, working memory, attention, executive function, processing speed) were administered at baseline. In patients, positive and negative symptoms were evaluated at baseline and functioning was assessed at 1-year follow-up. Patients were more impaired than controls on all cognitive domains, but only VM showed sex differences (both patient and control males performed worse than females), and these results were consistent across batteries. In patients, better baseline VM in females was related to better functioning after 1 year, mediated through fewer baseline negative symptoms. Supplemental analyses revealed these results were not driven by affective psychosis nor by age and parental education. Thus, normative sex differences in VM are preserved in FEP and mediate functioning at 1-year follow-up via negative symptoms. This study highlights the importance of investigating sex effects for understanding VM deficits in early psychosis and suggests that sex may be a disease-modifying variable with important treatment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Buck
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katie M Lavigne
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ridha Joober
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Ashok Malla
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Lepage
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Martin Lepage, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada H4H 1R3; tel: +1-514-761-6131 ext. 4393, fax: +1-514-888-4064, e-mail:
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