title: First-episode psychosis and migration in Italy (PEP-Ita migration): a study in the Italian mental health services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been frequently reported a higher incidence of psychotic disorders in immigrants than in native populations. There is, however, a lack of knowledge about risk factors which may explain this phenomenon. A better understanding of the causes of psychosis among first-generation migrants is highly needed, particularly in Italy, a country with a recent massive migration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The "Italian study on first-episode psychosis and migration (PEP-Ita)" is a prospective observational study over a two-year period (1 January 2012-31 December 2013) which will be carried out in 11 Italian mental health centres. All participating centres will collect data about all new cases of migrants with first-episode psychosis. The general purpose ("core") of the PEP-Ita study is to explore the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and the pathways to care of a population of first-episode psychosis migrants in Italy. Secondary aims of the study will be: 1) to understand risk and protective factors for the development of psychotic disorders in migrants; 2) to evaluate the correlations between psychopathology of psychotic disorders in migrants and socio-demographic characteristics, migration history, life experiences; 3) to evaluate the clinical and social outcomes of first-episode psychoses in migrants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the PEP-Ita study will allow a better understanding of risk factors for psychosis in first-generation migrants in Italy. Moreover, our results will contribute to the development of prevention programmes for psychosis and to the improvement of early intervention treatments for the migrant population in Italy.
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Tarricone
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy. mauro.braca@studio.unibo.it.
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Braca
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Allegri
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Barrasso
authors: Antonello
authors: A
authors: Bellomo
authors: Vanna
authors: V
authors: Berlincioni
authors: Bernardo
authors: B
authors: Carpiniello
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Ceregato
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Conforti Donati
authors: Samuele
authors: S
authors: Defilippi
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Del Vecchio
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: De Rosa
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Ferrannini
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Ferrari
authors: Maria Antonietta
authors: MA
authors: Furio
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Gramaglia
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: La Cascia
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Luciano
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Mulè
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Nardini
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Podavini
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Primavera
authors: Corinna
authors: C
authors: Reggianini
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Rigatelli
authors: Orlando
authors: O
authors: Todarello
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Turella
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Ventriglio
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Zeppegno
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Fiorillo
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Berardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult