Work

Urban–rural differences in incidence rates of psychiatric disorders in Denmark

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: People born in densely populated areas have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether urban-rural differences in place of birth influence a broad range of mental disorders. METHOD: Population-based cohort study of everyone born in Denmark between 1955 and 2006 (n = 2 894 640). Main outcome measures were incidence rate ratios for five levels of urbanisation and summary estimates contrasting birth in the capital with birth in rural areas. RESULTS: For all psychiatric disorders, except intellectual disability (ICD-10 'mental retardation') and behavioural and emotional disorders with onset in childhood, people born in the capital had a higher incidence than people born in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Birth in an urban environment is associated with an increased risk for mental illness in general and for a broad range of specific psychiatric disorders. Given this new evidence that urban-rural differences in incidence are not confined to the well-studied psychotic disorders, further work is needed to identify the underlying aetiopathogenic mechanisms.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.161091

Authors: Evangelos Vassos, Esben Agerbo, Ole Mors, Carsten Bøcker Pedersen

Institutions: King's College London, Aarhus University, Aarhus University Hospital, Lundbeck Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: bronze