Association of urbanicity with psychosis in low- and middle-income countries

Jordan E. DeVylder, Ian Kelleher, Monique Lalane, Hans Oh, Bruce G. Link, Ai Koyanagi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Urban residence is one of the most well-established risk factors for psychotic disorder, but most evidence comes from a small group of high-income countries. OBJECTIVE To determine whether urban living is associated with greater odds for psychosis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This international population-based study used cross-sectional survey data collected as part of theWorld Health Organization (WHO)World Health Survey from May 2, 2002, through December 31, 2004. Participants included nationally representative general population probability samples of adults (18 years) residing in 42 LMICs (N = 215 682). Data were analyzed from November 20 through December 5, 2017. EXPOSURES: Urban vs nonurban residence, determined by the WHO based on national data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Psychotic experiences, assessed using theWHOComposite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen, and self-reported lifetime history of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. RESULTS: Among the 215 682 participants (50.8%women and 49.2%men; mean [SD] age, 37.9 [15.7] years), urban residence was not associated with psychotic experiences (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95%CI, 0.89-1.11) or psychotic disorder (OR, 0.89; 95%CI, 0.76-1.06). Results of all pooled analyses and meta-analyses of within-country effects approached a null effect, with an overall OR of 0.97 (95%CI, 0.87-1.07), OR for low-income countries of 0.98 (95%CI, 0.82-1.15), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.96 (95%CI, 0.84-1.09) for psychotic experiences and an overall OR of 0.92 (95%CI, 0.73-1.16), OR for low-income countries of 0.92 (95%CI, 0.66-1.27), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.92 (95%CI, 0.67-1.27) for psychotic disorder. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our results provide evidence that urbanicity, a well-established risk factor for psychosis, may not be associated with elevated odds for psychosis in developing countries. This findingmay provide better understanding of the mechanisms by which urban livingmay contribute to psychosis risk in high-income countries, because urban-rural patterns of cannabis use, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic disparitiesmay vary between developing and developed nations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)678-686
Number of pages9
JournalJAMA Psychiatry
Volume75
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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