Schizophrenia is a severe and draining mental disorder with varying socio-economic impacts based on the age of onset. This study compares socio-demographic characteristics, employment status, financial dependence, marital status, stigmatization, and social functioning between early-onset and late-onset schizophrenia patients. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on schizophrenia patients, categorized by age of onset (before or after 40). Early-onset schizophrenia was significantly more common in males (75%, p < 0.01), with lower educational attainment (p < 0.05), higher unemployment rates (65% vs. 45%, p = 0.02), and greater financial dependence (80% vs. 55%, p = 0.01) compared to late-onset patients. Early-onset patients also reported significantly higher social isolation (70% vs. 50%, p = 0.03) and fewer marital relationships (30% vs. 50%, p = 0.04). Stigmatization scores were significantly elevated in early-onset patients (mean score 8.2 vs. 5.4, p < 0.001). Treatment costs were also significantly higher (p < 0.01) for early-onset patients, highlighting the increased socio-economic burden associated with an earlier onset of the disorder.
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