The incidence of operationally defined schizophrenia in Camberwell, 1965-84

Br J Psychiatry. 1991 Dec:159:790-4. doi: 10.1192/bjp.159.6.790.

Abstract

We established first-contact rates of schizophrenia in the defined area of Camberwell between 1965 and 1984. The rate of schizophrenia, whether defined by ICD, RDC, or DSM-III criteria, rose over the period under study. This finding is at odds with reports of an overall decline in first-admission rates for schizophrenia in England, over the same period. The discrepancy was largely accounted for by the influx into Camberwell of individuals of Afro-Caribbean origin, who showed rates of schizophrenia between four and eight times that of their Caucasian counterparts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • England / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Registries / statistics & numerical data*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*