Participants were individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or persons without a psychiatric disorder Who were enrolled in the Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore, MD USA for a study of the association between infection, immunity, and psychiatric disorders. The participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the non-psychiatric comparison group were enrolled between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2021, and the participants with major depression in the period between March 1, 2013, and December 31, 2021.
The inclusion criterion for individuals with schizophrenia was a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. The inclusion criterion for individuals with bipolar disorder was a diagnosis of bipolar disorder including bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Those with major depressive disorder had either a single or recurrent episode. The psychiatric participants were recruited from inpatient and day hospital programs of Sheppard Pratt and from affiliated psychiatric programs. The diagnosis of each psychiatric participant was established by the research team including a board-certified psychiatrist and was based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders and available medical records.
The inclusion criterion for the individuals without a psychiatric disorder was the absence of a current or past psychiatric disorder as determined by screening with the DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Non-patient Edition. Persons in this group were recruited from posted announcements at local health facilities and universities in the same geographic area where the psychiatric participants were recruited.
Participants in all groups met the following additional criteria: age 18-65 (except the non-psychiatric controls who were aged 20-60); proficient in English; absence of any history of intravenous substance abuse; absence of intellectual disability by history; absence of HIV-1 infection; absence of serious medical disorder that would affect cognitive functioning; absence of a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder within the past three months per DSM-IV criteria.
The studies were approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the Sheppard Pratt and the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions following established guidelines. IRB approval was obtained before study recruitment. All participants provided written informed consent after the study procedures were explained. Competence to give consent was assessed by research staff in the form of a short quiz following review of the written informed consent document; this method was approved by the Sheppard Pratt IRB.
The inclusion criterion for individuals with schizophrenia was a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. The inclusion criterion for individuals with bipolar disorder was a diagnosis of bipolar disorder including bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Those with major depressive disorder had either a single or recurrent episode. The psychiatric participants were recruited from inpatient and day hospital programs of Sheppard Pratt and from affiliated psychiatric programs. The diagnosis of each psychiatric participant was established by the research team including a board-certified psychiatrist and was based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders and available medical records.
The inclusion criterion for the individuals without a psychiatric disorder was the absence of a current or past psychiatric disorder as determined by screening with the DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Non-patient Edition. Persons in this group were recruited from posted announcements at local health facilities and universities in the same geographic area where the psychiatric participants were recruited.
Participants in all groups met the following additional criteria: age 18-65 (except the non-psychiatric controls who were aged 20-60); proficient in English; absence of any history of intravenous substance abuse; absence of intellectual disability by history; absence of HIV-1 infection; absence of serious medical disorder that would affect cognitive functioning; absence of a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder within the past three months per DSM-IV criteria.
The studies were approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the Sheppard Pratt and the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions following established guidelines. IRB approval was obtained before study recruitment. All participants provided written informed consent after the study procedures were explained. Competence to give consent was assessed by research staff in the form of a short quiz following review of the written informed consent document; this method was approved by the Sheppard Pratt IRB.
Free full text: Click here
