Incidence and outcome of schizophrenia in whites, African-Caribbeans and Asians in London.
BACKGROUND
Several previous studies have indicated high rates of schizophrenia in African-Caribbeans in the UK compared to White population.


METHODS
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.
Bhugra
D
D
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
Leff
J
J
Mallett
R
R
Der
G
G
Corridan
B
B
Rudge
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*