Preliminary results were in an oral presentation: ‘Does a recently occurred vitamin D deficit explain the excess of psychosis and schizophrenia in black first-generation immigrants?’ at the symposium: ‘What explains the schizophrenia epidemic among immigrants to Western Europe?’ organized by Jean-Paul Selten and Wim Veling, with John McGrath as discussant, at the 3rd Biennal Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Florence, Italy, April 14-18, 2012.
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Original Article
Clinical symptoms of psychotic episodes and 25-hydroxy vitamin D serum levels in black first-generation immigrants
Article first published online: 13 FEB 2013
DOI: 10.1111/acps.12086
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Issue
1600-0447/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=2490e7fa7d6cf4ca5c46f8af8cc06622127af8f8 "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica")
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Early View (Online Version of Record published before inclusion in an issue)
Additional Information
How to Cite
. Clinical symptoms of psychotic episodes and 25-hydroxy vitamin D serum levels in black first-generation immigrants
Publication History
- Article first published online: 13 FEB 2013
- Manuscript Accepted: 20 DEC 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- schizophrenia;
- acute psychotic episodes;
- atypical psychosis;
- immigrants;
- vitamin D;
- skin pigmentation
Objective
Dark-skinned immigrants have a higher risk for schizophrenia and other psychoses than other immigrants. The first British studies reported that first-generation immigrants (FGIs) from the Caribbean presented atypical psychoses. This study examines the characteristics of psychotic episodes in black FGIs to Canada.
Method
The charts of 18 FGIs from Africa and Haiti, extracted from a series of 20 black patients consecutively admitted to Psychiatry, were retrospectively reviewed regarding clinical features, diagnoses and vitamin D levels.
Results
Young FGIs presented acute psychotic episodes with abrupt onset, florid positive symptoms, few negative symptoms and good evolution. The onset was more insidious in older FGIs. Overall, catatonia was very frequent (28%), and mood symptoms still more frequent (44%). No cognitive decline was observed during follow-up. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were in the insufficiency range. Supplementation at 1000 IU/day did not restore normal levels.
Conclusion
The clinical features of psychotic episodes in black FGIs are similar to those reported in dark-skinned FGIs to other countries. They are also observed in other immigrants and in non-immigrants. These atypical psychoses are possibly related to a recent vitamin D deficit. This hypothesis should be tested by clinical trials of sufficient vitamin D supplementation.