Paternal age and mortality in nonaffective psychosis

Brian Miller, Johanna Pihlajamaa, Jari Haukka, Mary Cannon, Markus Henriksson, Hannele Heilä, Matti Huttunen, Antti Tanskanen, Jouko Lönnqvist, Jaana Suvisaari, Brian Kirkpatrick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Advanced paternal age (APA) is associated with an increased mortality in the general population, and is a risk factor for schizophrenia. We aimed to test if APA is associated with increased mortality in people with nonaffective psychosis. Methods: Subjects with nonaffective psychosis who were born in Helsinki, Finland, between 1951 and 1960 (n=529) were followed until June 2006 (age 46 to 55). Hazard ratios were calculated, adjusting for subject age, age of the other parent, and gender. Results: In females but not males, there was a significant increase in all-causes mortality (HR=7.04, 95% CI 1.60-31.04, p=0.01) and natural deaths (HR=7.64, 95% CI 1.20-48.66, p=0.03) in offspring of fathers age ≤40, after adjustment for potential confounders. In males but not females, there was a significant decrease in suicides (HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.97, p=0.01) with increasing maternal age (as a continuous variable). In the entire sample, there was also a trend for decreased all-cause mortality (HR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92-1.01, p=0.08) with increasing maternal age (as a continuous variable). Discussion: Both paternal and maternal age may affect mortality risk in offspring with psychosis. The specific disorders and pathway(s) associated with the increase in natural cause mortality remain to be determined.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)218-226
Number of pages9
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume121
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2010

Keywords

  • Gender differences
  • Longitudinal studies
  • Mortality
  • Nonaffective psychosis
  • Paternal age
  • Schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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