Bhugra, D

Corridon, B

Hilwig, M

Leff, J

Mallett, R

Neehall, J

Rudge, S

Studies of schizophrenia across cultures have shown that different groups present with different symptoms. This study reports on differences of symptoms across four ethnic groups. All first contact cases of schizophrenia. over a 2 year period in two catchment areas in London were included in a study using PSE-9 as an interview for ascertaining their mental sate. Schizophrenia was diagnosed using the CATEGO programme, and symptoms were compared across the four groups. There was a distinction between various groups in presentation of symptoms. Whereas London Asian patients (those originating from the Indian subcontinent) were more likely to present with worry and irritability, the African-Caribbeans presented with delusions of reference and paranoid symptoms. The Trinidadian patients were also more likely to present with a multitude of non-specific symptoms, eg. worrying and irritability, and delusions of persecution and sexual delusions were rare in thin group. Our findings suggest that the presenting symptoms of schizophrenia do vary across culture and, in cross-cultural comparison, schizophrenia must be regarded as heterogenous entity

A comparison of symptoms in cases with first onset of schizophrenia across four groups

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