title: Rates of first episode of psychosis in a defined catchment area in Greece.
abstract: This is the first Greek study presenting epidemiologic data on first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients in a defined catchment area. Data for first episode psychotic patients during a two-year period (2008 and 2009) were obtained by all the mental health providers in the area, public or private. A total of 132 FEP patients were examined in the 2-year period in the catchment area. Most of the patients (61.4%) were diagnosed and treated by private practicing psychiatrists. Statistical analysis showed no differences between the two sectors in terms of patients' age, gender, family and social status, profession and duration of untreated psychosis (median duration 6 months). Patients who were abusing substances and had no family psychiatric history were less likely been treated in the public sector. Immigrants comprised only a small proportion of the patients, probably because they have difficulties in accessing the mental health system.
authors.affiliation: Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Vaios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Peritogiannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mantas
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina, Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tatsioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Venetsanos
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mavreas
keywords: Early intervention; First episode of psychosis; Private sector; Public sector.