title: Exposure to trauma and the clinical presentation of first-episode psychosis in South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between a history of traumatic experiences and the clinical features of first-episode psychosis (FEP).
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested associations between trauma variables and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), age of onset (AO), PANSS-rated positive and negative symptoms and depressive symptoms (Calgary Depression Scale) in a sample of 54 FEP patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DUP was 34.4 weeks, while mean AO was 24.7 years. Witnessing a seriously violent assault (49%) was associated with high positive symptoms (p = 0.002), while a significant personal experience of racism and discrimination (39%) was associated with high depressive (p = 0.042) symptoms. Previous sexual assault (44% of females) was associated with high positive (p = 0.028) and negative (p = 0.035) symptoms with a trend association with depressive symptoms (p = 0.092).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that previous traumatic experience is associated with positive and affective symptoms in FEP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag 7, Congella (Durban), 4013, South Africa. burns@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: Jonathan Kenneth
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Khatija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jhazbhay
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Esterhuizen
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emsley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult