Refractive errors and schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and amblyopia), like schizophrenia, have a strong genetic cause, and dopamine has been proposed as a potential mediator in their pathophysiology. The present study explored the association between refractive errors in adolescence and schizophrenia, and the potential familiality of this association.

METHODS

The Israeli Draft Board carries a mandatory standardized visual accuracy assessment. 678,674 males consecutively assessed by the Draft Board and found to be psychiatrically healthy at age 17 were followed for psychiatric hospitalization with schizophrenia using the Israeli National Psychiatric Hospitalization Case Registry. Sib-ships were also identified within the cohort.

RESULTS

There was a negative association between refractive errors and later hospitalization for schizophrenia. Future male schizophrenia patients were two times less likely to have refractive errors compared with never-hospitalized individuals, controlling for intelligence, years of education and socioeconomic status [adjusted Hazard Ratio=.55; 95% confidence interval .35-.85]. The non-schizophrenic male siblings of schizophrenia patients also had lower prevalence of refractive errors compared to never-hospitalized individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of refractive errors in adolescence is related to lower risk for schizophrenia. The familiality of this association suggests that refractive errors may be associated with the genetic liability to schizophrenia.

Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Medical Personnel in Judea and Samaria Areas in the Years 2000–2003

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the incidence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among medical staff members serving in Judea and Samaria during 2000-2003.

METHODS

The study population included 141 medics and 19 medical doctors who provided emergency medical treatment during 23 violent events. Information regarding the incidence of ASD and PTSD was abstracted from Israel Defense Forces mental health files, as was a history of previous exposures to similar events, personal acquaintance with the victims, being under fire during the event, number of victims killed and/or wounded in the event, and length of time in service.

RESULTS

One medic was affected by PTSD, whereas one medical doctor and 12 medics suffered from ASD. The number of people killed in the event was associated with ASD in medics (p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PTSD within the study population was very low, possibly because of post-trauma treatment and the training process for the medical staff members.