Zhang Y, et al. - The association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and schizophrenia (SCZ) was investigated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction method in independent cohorts consisting of 1,241 patients with SCZ and 1,042 controls (the largest independent sample in this field). In addition, the effect of duration of hospitalization and lifetime antipsychotic dose on LTL in SCZ was determined. Significantly longer LTL was observed in patients with SCZ relative to controls. Subgroup analyses revealed longer telomeres in elderly SCZ patients but not in patients under 50 years old. Moreover, elderly SCZ patients with long-term hospitalization demonstrated significantly longer LTL, but not outpatients or those with short-term hospitalization indicating the significance of appropriate lifestyle management received by the former group. Findings thus suggest considering the effect of age and duration of hospitalization on LTL for improving the understanding regarding the association between LTL and SCZ.