Early manifestations, personality traits and pathways into care for Asian and white first-onset cases of schizophrenia

Background: Previous studies have shown that manifestations of symptoms and premorbid personality of patients with schizophrenia differ across culture s. However, these have only been demonstrated in cultural settings apart fr om each other. Method: We set out to compare these across different ethnic groups from a catchment area in west London. The Asian and the white group had similar inception rates of schizophrenia and we therefore decided to co mpare these two groups to ascertain similarities in social, demographic and personality factors and pathways into care. First-onset cases of schizophr enia were studied on a number of parameters using previously validated inst ruments. Results: There were more similarities than differences between the two groups. When compared with the findings of a previous multicentre stud y in India, London Asians, like their counterparts in India, were more like ly than the London white sample to present with loss of appetite, become mo re religious and behave as if hearing voices. However, compared to their In dian counterparts, the onset of symptoms was more likely to be insidious an d alternative sources of healing were less likely to be approached. Conclus ions: These findings are discussed in relation to the findings for white pa tients and recommendations made for future research.