Establishing associated risk factors, including fungal and parasitic infections among Malaysians living with schizophrenia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
The aetiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial, and the identification of its risk factors are scarce and highly variable. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors associated with schizophrenia among Malaysian sub-population. A total of 120 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) and 180 non-schizophrenic (NS) individuals participated in a questionnaire-based survey. Data of complete questionnaire responses obtained from 91 SZ and 120 NS participants were used in statistical analyses. Stool samples were obtained from the participants and screened for gut parasites and fungi using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The median age were 46 years (interquartile range (IQR) 37 to 60 years) and 35 years (IQR 24 to 47.75 years) for SZ and NS respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression showed that the factors associated with increased risk of SZ were age, sex, unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week. These factors, except sex, were positively associated with the severity of SZ. Breastfed at infancy as well as vitamin and supplement consumption showed a protective effect against SZ. After data clean-up, fungal or parasitic infections were found in 98% (39/42). of SZ participants and 6.1% (3/49) of NS participants. Our findings identified non-modifiable risk factors (age and sex) and modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors (unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week) associated with SZ and implicate the need for medical attention in preventing fungal and parasitic infections in SZ.
Keywords
Risk factors, fungal, parasitic infections, Malaysians, schizophrenia
Divisions
medbio,Parasit,psychological
Funders
Ministry of Education, Malaysia,Department of Psychological Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC),Department of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (NUMMC),Department of Parasitology, Universiti Malaya
Publication Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Publisher
Nature Research
Publisher Location
HEIDELBERGER PLATZ 3, BERLIN, 14197, GERMANY