Prevalence of psychotic disorders in an urban area of France

BACKGROUND: Most data on the prevalence of psychotic disorders is limited to global estimates or restricted to schizophrenia. Consequently, there is limited information available about the prevalence of psychotic disorders more widely and outwith age and sex - specific prevalence values. The objective of this study is to provide period prevalence estimates, detailed by gender and age groups, for treated psychotic disorders in an adult population (aged 18 years and over) from an urban area in France. METHODS: Prospective reporting of cases treated over an 8-week period complemented by several methods estimating the number of potentially missed cases, including a leakage study. The study took place in an urban, well defined catchment area, with a population of 67 430 at risk subjects living in the east of a Paris suburb. RESULTS: The observed prevalence was of 3.72 per 1000 subjects at risk; after adjustment for potentially lost cases the estimate was of 4.60 per 1000 subjects at risk. Observed prevalence was higher in men (4.71 per 1000, Relative Risk = 1.68) and in the 35–45 age-band (6.05 per 1000, Relative Risk = 1.93). CONCLUSION: Global prevalence estimates of psychotic disorders in this study are in line with expected values based on studies conducted in other countries. Careful consideration of the causes of missed cases and gathering of complementary data are essential and could result in significant changes in prevalence estimates. Detailed estimates (by age) suggest that treated psychosis might not be a lifelong condition.