Impact of Age at Onset of Menarche on Subsequent Courses in Women with Schizophrenia

Kim, Jin Hun; Youn, Sun Wook; Bae, Myung Ji; Yim, Seon Jin; Chung, Eun Kee; Chang, Dong Won

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The protective effects of estrogen against the development of schizophrenia have been investigated in various perspectives. Previous studies showed patients with earlier age of menarche had later onset of schizophrenia and less frequent admissions. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of the age of menarche on subsequent courses including hospitalizations, suicidal attempts, physical harm to others, and psychotic symptoms in women with schizophrenia.
METHODS
Self-report menarche age, onset of psychotic symptoms, and clinical status were collected in a sample of 108 premenopausal women with the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
RESULTS
There was significant correlation between the age of menarche and the frequency of admissions (r=.321, p=.006). Also, patients with history of physical harms to others showed later age of menarche than those without (t=2.025, df= 106, p=.045).
CONCLUSION
In women with schizophrenia, the age of onset of menarche affects subsequent courses indicated by frequency of admissions and violent behaviors. It is suggested that identifying the age of menarche might be helpful to predict the courses in women with schizophrenia. Further investigations regarding the relationship between estrogen and the courses of schizophrenia in women are needed.