Exposure to trauma and the clinical presentation of first-episode psychosis in South Africa.
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.
Burns
Jonathan Kenneth
JK
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
Jhazbhay
Khatija
K
Esterhuizen
Tonya
T
Emsley
Robin
R
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