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First-contact incidence of schizophrenia in Surinam

Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht

Caroline Zeyl, MD

Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht and Symfora Group Psychiatric Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

Rudi Dwarkasing, MD and Vincent Lumsden

Psychiatric Centre, Surinam, Paramaribo, Surinam

Renè S. Kahn, MD, PhD

Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht

Peter N. Van Harten, MD, PhD

Symfora Group Psychiatric Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

Correspondence: Dr Jean-Paul Selten, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GAUtrecht, Refer Nr. A00.241, The Netherlands. Tel: +3130 2508180; fax: +3130 2505443; e-mail: j.p.selten{at}psych.azu.nl

Declaration of interest None.

Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

ABSTRACT

Summary We tested the hypothesis that the increased incidence of schizophrenia among Surinamese immigrants to The Netherlands could be explained by a similarly high incidence in Surinam. We conducted a 1-year first-contact incidence study in Surinam and compared the findings with data from a similar study conducted in The Netherlands using the same inclusion criteria and instruments. The risk of developing a schizophrenic disorder was 2.4 times higher (95% CI 1.3–4.2) in Surinamese immigrants than in residents of Surinam. The increased risk is probably due to environmental factors in The Netherlands.

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