Refugees suffer from schizophrenia and other psychoses at three times the rate of the native population, according to a Swedish study published today.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden examined rates of psychosis among refugees in order to plan adequate care and support. They used figures from the Swedish national registry up until December 2011. This means that the analysis does not include recent migrants, but the researchers believe the psychosis risk would be similar.
Figures showed that over one in a thousand refugees were diagnosed with psychosis annually, meaning about 12 per 10,000 refugees. The risk for non-refugee migrants was eight per 10,000 people, and four per 10,000 Swedish-born people.
Full details appear in the BMJ. The authors believe that psychoses are influenced by life experiences, including traumatic events such as persecution, conflict or natural disasters.
Lead author, Dr Anna-Clara Hollander, says: "The dramatically increased risk among refugees shows that life events are a significant risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychoses. This illustrates the impact that traumatic experiences can have on serious mental health conditions."
Co-author Dr James Kirkbride, of University College London, UK, added: "We know that refugees are a vulnerable group, facing many social, economic, physical and mental health challenges in their lives. Our study shows that such groups also face increased risk of schizophrenia, highlighting the need for specialist care and support.
"In most countries refugees undergo standard health checks, but mental health issues can be overlooked. Like all people, refugees would benefit from timely and early treatment of any mental health problems."
Hollander, A. C. et al. Refugee migration and risk of schizophrenia and other non-affective psychoses: cohort study of 1.3 million people in Sweden. BMJ 16 March 2016 doi: 10.1136/bmj.i1224 [abstract]
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