Incidence and outcome of schizophrenia in whites, African-Caribbeans and Asians in London

Bhugra, D., Leff, J., Mallett, R., Der, G. , Corridan, B. and Rudge, S. (1997) Incidence and outcome of schizophrenia in whites, African-Caribbeans and Asians in London. Psychological Medicine, 27(4), pp. 791-798.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several previous studies have indicated high rates of schizophrenia in African-Caribbeans in the UK compared to White population. METHOD: All people aged 18 to 64 years residing in two health districts in London who made contact with hospital or community services over a 1-year (Whites) or 2-year (ethnic minorities) period were screened for psychotic symptoms. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients passed the screen, of whom 100 were assigned a schizophrenic class by the CATEGO program. Of these, 38 were White, 38 African-Caribbean and 24 Asian. The incidence rate for broad schizophrenia was significantly higher for African-Caribbeans than for Whites. Asians showed a high rate among people age 30 and over, particularly women. Poor outcome at 1-year follow-up was significantly more common for African-Caribbeans than for the other two groups. The proportion of African-Caribbeans with a poor outcome was two and a half times greater than that of Whites. On a range of seven socio-demographic variables, African-Caribbeans differed from the other two groups only on unemployment. CONCLUSIONS: A multitide of factors play a role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. Comparison of environmental factors in these groups may identify factors that contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Der, Mr Geoffrey
• Authors: Bhugra, D., Leff, J., Mallett, R., Der, G., Corridan, B., and Rudge, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Psychological Medicine
• ISSN: 0033-2917
• ISSN (Online): 1469-8978