Human leukocyte antigen and season of birth in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Five Japanese studies, to the authors' knowledge, without exception, have consistently shown an increased frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR1 in patients with schizophrenia. This suggests an association between HLA-DR1 and schizophrenia in the Japanese population. The mechanism of the association is unknown; however, prenatal infections may be involved. The present study explored factors, including winter birth, that might correlate with this mechanism. Age at onset and gender were also studied.

METHOD:

Factors were compared between Japanese patients with schizophrenia with and in those without HLA-DR1 (N=60 and N=307, respectively).

RESULTS:

A significantly higher incidence of births in February and March was observed in patients with (31.7%) than those without (15. 6%) HLA-DR1. No association was found between the presence of HLA-DR1 and other variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although this result is preliminary, it may suggest an interaction between HLA and winter birth in the development of schizophrenia in the Japanese population.

• Authors: K Narita, T Sasaki, R Akaho, Y Okazaki, I Kusumi, T Kato, O Hashimoto, R Fukuda, T Koyama, K Matsuo, Y Okabe, S Nanko, H Hohjoh, K Tokunaga
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 157 Issue 7 Pg. 1173-5 (Jul 2000) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10873932 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HLA-DR1 Antigen

Topics

• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Female
• HLA-DR1 Antigen (analysis, genetics)
• Histocompatibility Testing
• Humans
• Japan (epidemiology)
• Male
• Risk Factors
• Schizophrenia (epidemiology, genetics)
• Seasons
• Sex Factors