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Incidence and outcome of schizophrenia in Whites, African-Caribbeans and Asians in London

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1997

D. BHUGRA ,
J. LEFF ,
R. MALLETT ,
G. DER ,
B. CORRIDAN  and
S. RUDGE
D. BHUGRA
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
J. LEFF
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
R. MALLETT
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
G. DER
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
B. CORRIDAN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
S. RUDGE
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and MRC Social Developmental and Genetic Centre, Institute of Psychiatry and St Bernard's Hospital, W London Heath Care NHS Trust, London; and MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
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Abstract

Background. Several previous studies have indicated high rates of schizophrenia in African-Caribbeans in the UK compared to White population.

Method. 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.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , July 1997 , pp. 791 - 798
Copyright
1997 Cambridge University Press

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